Press release number: IFAD 38/03

Rome, 27 November 2003 – Poor livestock producers and their families in Eastern Morocco will benefit from a USD 9.24 million project that will focus on increasing incomes and improving living conditions.

The six-year project will be financed largely by a USD 6.36 million loan from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) to the Kingdom of Morocco. The loan agreement was signed today at IFAD headquarters by the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to Italy, His Excellency Tajeddine Baddou, and the IFAD President, Mr Lennart Båge.

This project is the second phase of the IFAD-supported Livestock and Rangelands Development Project that started in 1991. One of the priorities of the first phase was reversal of the trend towards degradation of the natural resource base. Another priority was the establishment of grass-roots organizations, such as range users associations (RUA), of which there are now 43 in the region. The second phase will focus on empowering community groups and cooperatives to manage natural resources more effectively and will help create new economic opportunities. It will continue to foster grass-roots initiatives and community participation in management of natural resources. Rural cooperatives will be helped to identify and articulate their needs in relation to areas such as: alternative income sources and income-generating activities; improved linkages to local institutions and markets; and, improved access to land, water, technical and financial services.

About 77 000 poor livestock producers and their families will benefit from the project. Interventions will include promotion of adapted livestock production systems that will lead to improved quality, local processing and better marketing techniques. Women, girls and unemployed young people will receive special support to develop rural microenterprises and other income-generating activities.

The Eastern Region is one of the largest disadvantaged areas in Morocco and is one of the country’s most important target areas for pastoral development. The region is plagued by poor soils, overgrazing, erosion and persistent periods of drought. This, combined with poor socio-economic infrastructure, means that farmers are not able to compete in the marketplace and there is an increasing exodus from rural to urban areas.

With this loan, IFAD will have provided a total of USD 130 million in support of 9 projects in Morocco.

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IFAD is a specialized agency of the United Nations dedicated to eradicating rural poverty in developing countries. Since 1978, IFAD has financed more than 630 projects in 115 countries and territories for a total commitment of approximately USD 7.7 billion in loans and grants. Through these projects, about 250 million rural people have been supported in their efforts to overcome poverty.