Rabat : Officials meet to launch livestock restocking effort

Following directives from King Mohammed VI on rebuilding the national livestock sector, a high-level meeting was held Friday at the Ministry of the Interior. It brought together the Ministers of the Interior; Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forests; and the Deputy Minister in charge of the Budget, alongside senior officials from the concerned ministries.

Regional governors, along with governors of provinces, prefectures, and district prefectures, also took part via videoconference, as did representatives from the Economy, Finance, and Agriculture departments at regional and local levels, according to a statement from the Interior Ministry.

The meeting underscored the strategic importance of this initiative, which aims to boost livestock productivity and ensure the sector’s sustainability to strengthen Morocco’s food sovereignty. Particular focus was placed on supporting breeders and enhancing resilience to economic and climate-related challenges, especially after consecutive years of drought.

A key component of this effort is the creation of a national digital database to track livestock and their owners, part of a broader strategy to digitize administrative procedures. This database will provide a clear and updated picture of the sector, enabling tailored action plans and livestock rebuilding programs aligned with the sector’s real needs.

During the meeting, officials presented the main points of a joint circular outlining the operation’s governance framework, which clearly defines the roles and responsibilities of each stakeholder. A central steering committee has been set up, chaired by the Ministry of the Interior, along with a joint technical commission from the Ministry of Agriculture and regional and provincial commissions led by local governors.