AG. DEV. MIDDLE ATLAS

closed

The Middle Atlas Central Area Agriculture Development Project consists of interrelated forestry, range, and cropping land development to bring about production increases of meat, milk, fodder, cereals and wood, and a rise of income and employment among the rural population. Forestry development will consist of the implementation of forest management plans; the provision of infrastructure, mostly roads; the planting of trees and forage shrubs; felling and thinning; and pest management. Livestock development will consist of increasing forage production and improving forage conservation; the acquisition of selected animals; the introduction of range management based on fixed stocking rates and on deferred and rotational grazing; the provision of infrastructure on the range as well as reseeding and fertilization of forage; the construction of animal health facilities and of breeding stations; and the provision of credit. Cropping development will comprise a reorganization and a reinforcement of existing extension services; problem-specific research linked with extension; the provision of credit; irrigation improvement of some 2,000 ha of small traditional perimeters; and construction of access roads.