Late rains: Cereal killer? | L’Economiste

Rain, albeit late, is back. For several days, some regions have experienced heavy rainfall or showers, sometimes stormy or even snowfall. The next few days will not be spared.

Yes, rain is always welcome, even late. This is a relief for farmers, whose morale took a hit this winter. However, questions arise about the effects of these recent rains on harvest. “This rain is beneficial for market gardening. Fruits and vegetables will benefit from these precipitations. They also have a positive effect on the reserves of the dams by increasing their level”, emphasizes Mohammed Bajeddi, Agro-economist Engineer. Potatoes, onions, tomatoes, melons, and watermelons will benefit from these spring rains will also have a beneficial effect on the plant cover to feed livestock. This will ease the pressure on breeders.

The benefits of these rains on the dams are still awaited. On Tuesday May 23, 2023, the reservoir fill rate reached 32.3%, according to the Directorate General for Water. This rate is down compared to the same period last year (33.5%). Global reserves currently stand at 5.2 billion cubic meters. But beware ! If the rain is a godsend, it can also endanger certain crops. These rains are likely to affect the wheat harvest. “The mainly torrential rains cause damage to cereal plots that have not yet been harvested. The risk is also great for areas that have harvested wheat but not yet stored it”, explains this international consultant. This opinion is shared by the president of the Moroccan Confederation of Agriculture and Rural Development (COMADER), Rachid Benali. “The rains occurring during the harvest period when the cereals are ripe do have an impact on wheat through a drop in the specific weight of the grain”, says the president of the confederation.

One wonders if these rains and stormy winds will have an impact on the government’s forecasts for the cereal harvest for the current campaign. “We can say that the forecasts can be revised downwards given the negative impact that these rains could have on the plots of unharvested cereals, and whose productions are not secured in adequate storage places”, replies Mohammed Bajeddi.

Khadija SKALLI