Post by Admin on May 18, 2006 8:48:54 GMT
After the destruction of the cannabis cultivated on more than 4,000 hectares, which started in June 2005, the Larache authorities are providing alternative solutions for local farmers to substitute Cannabis with olive trees.
According to the Regional Agency for Agricultural Development of Loukous region (ORMVAL), studies showed that olive trees of “Haouzia” species constitute the best cultivating substitution for that region. This species could adapt to the region's rude climate and produce high quality oil. Hence, the farmers would have sufficient legal incomes.
Last Friday, the governor of the province, Maoulainine Ben Khalihanna, presided over the distribution of the first olive tree saplins in the rural commune of “El Kula” near Larache city.
This was the first step of the planting programme which combines the efforts of local authorities, local citizens and the ORMVAL.
The project received a common approval of local farmers. This has been the result of an efficient sensitisation effort that succeeded in convincing the locals of the possible benefits of an alternative cultivation.
The plan aims to distribute over 50,000 olive trees this year. A common agreement was made with all the rural communities in order to harmonise the efforts of all involved parties. The programme is worth MAD 5 million, say ORMVAL executives.
The cannabis framers are very poor. The culture of “Kif” constitutes the only, but a very low, income source available under the rude climate of Morocco's northern regions. Farmers are completely exploited by drug traffickers, but they hardly profit at all
According to the Regional Agency for Agricultural Development of Loukous region (ORMVAL), studies showed that olive trees of “Haouzia” species constitute the best cultivating substitution for that region. This species could adapt to the region's rude climate and produce high quality oil. Hence, the farmers would have sufficient legal incomes.
Last Friday, the governor of the province, Maoulainine Ben Khalihanna, presided over the distribution of the first olive tree saplins in the rural commune of “El Kula” near Larache city.
This was the first step of the planting programme which combines the efforts of local authorities, local citizens and the ORMVAL.
The project received a common approval of local farmers. This has been the result of an efficient sensitisation effort that succeeded in convincing the locals of the possible benefits of an alternative cultivation.
The plan aims to distribute over 50,000 olive trees this year. A common agreement was made with all the rural communities in order to harmonise the efforts of all involved parties. The programme is worth MAD 5 million, say ORMVAL executives.
The cannabis framers are very poor. The culture of “Kif” constitutes the only, but a very low, income source available under the rude climate of Morocco's northern regions. Farmers are completely exploited by drug traffickers, but they hardly profit at all