Regional delegate in Hodh Charghi: the construction of dams and the introduction of ‘mechanization’ have given a boost to agricultural activity
Nema
Over the past five years, the Hodh Charghi region has experienced significant progress in the field of agriculture, both rainfed and irrigated, reflecting the importance given by His Excellency the President of the Republic, Mr. Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, to achieving food sovereignty.
Interventions in the province’s agricultural sector have focused on the construction of dozens of dams and water reservoirs, the introduction of mechanization, the provision of seeds and fencing, as well as the support of farmers through agricultural advice and protection against pests. Emergency development programs have also contributed to strengthening the sector’s efforts through measures supporting agriculture.
In a statement to AMI, the regional delegate of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty, Mr. Sidi Ould Bakah, affirmed that the special attention given to agriculture in the program of His Excellency the President of the Republic has given a significant boost to the sector in this wilaya.
He specified that 24 dams have been built over the past two years, including 13 as part of the agricultural component of the ‘Soumoud’ program, in addition to the distribution of 400 km of fencing and 200 km of barbed wire for the benefit of the 37 municipalities of the province.
The regional delegate pointed out that, as part of the ministry’s annual program, 360 dams were built under the sectoral plan aimed at ensuring optimal use of rainwater, specifying that in the context of combating agricultural pests, the Department of Agriculture has provided the wilaya with two equipped mobile protection teams, four vehicles, and equipment.
He noted that in order to introduce agricultural mechanization into rainfed farming, the ministry provided 18 tractors, which played an important role in increasing cultivated areas. Mr. Sidi Ould Bakah added that the use of tractors saved time and reduced production costs, thereby allowing for higher yields and better productivity.
The regional delegate emphasized that, as part of support for rainfed agriculture, the ministry provided 80 tons of cereal seeds, including maize, sorghum, cowpeas, and watermelons, which were distributed to farmers in all the moughataas of Hodh Charghi, in addition to 490 plows, to facilitate sowing operations.
Mr. Sidi Ould Bakah also indicated that, within the framework of support for market gardening and date palm cultivation, the ministry has provided farmers with machinery for plowing and sowing, as well as significant quantities of seeds of many varieties of vegetables.The regional delegate finally expressed the hope that all these efforts will help achieve self-sufficiency at the provincial level.