MP Farida Khenniti calls for urgent solutions to the agricultural sector in Nador

Economy of the East

During a parliamentary session with the Minister of Agriculture, MP Farida Khniti, representing the Nador constituency of the Progress and Socialism Party, raised a number of issues related to the agricultural sector in the Nador region, stressing the importance of finding urgent solutions to the issues facing farmers and local residents.

Fruit and vegetable wholesale market yet to see the light of day

The MP pointed out that the wholesale fish market was put into service after the minister's approval in 2022 and 2023, but the wholesale market for vegetables and fruits has not yet been completed, despite its importance to the region. She stressed that the current market is not befitting a region that is witnessing major development projects such as the new port and Marcheka, which calls for urgent intervention from the ministry to launch this project.

Real estate and structural issues in the Oulad Estout community

She highlighted the failure to settle the real estate situation of farmers in the Sabra sector, despite the efforts of the group's president, due to the lack of response from the regional office of agriculture. She also pointed to the failure to include private lands in the national plan for free collective memorization, and the absence of the ministry's contribution to the paving of roads within the irrigated lands.

The group is facing irrigation issues in the Sabra area, the failure to settle ancestral lands in coordination with the Ministry of Interior, as well as the absence of hilly dams to revitalize the water supply. She warned of the danger of unauthorized construction on agricultural farms, which reduces agricultural areas, in addition to the lack of potable water, which threatens the population with thirst issues.

Drought and the need for a water cycle

She called on the minister to intervene quickly to ensure a water cycle that will help sustain agricultural activity. She praised the former minister's statement about being a “farmer's son,” saying that this reflects an awareness of the suffering of small farmers.

For his part, the minister stressed that there is a clear vision to address the water issue, namely the establishment of a large desalination plant in the east with a capacity of 300 million cubic meters, of which 160 million cubic meters will be allocated for irrigation, which will relieve pressure on groundwater and revive agricultural activity in the region.