The area under date palms increased by 26% over the same period

Marruecos aumenta un 66% la producción de dátiles en los últimos doce años

The production of dates - a fruit of great consumption in Morocco - has increased by 66% in the 2020-2021 season in the Maghreb country, compared to the 2008-2009 agricultural season to stand at 149,000 tonnes.

The Ministry of Agriculture informed this Friday, in a note on the occasion of the inauguration of the International Date Fair that coincides with the current harvest of this fruit, that the area destined to date palms has increased by 26% in the last twelve years.

The area under date palms increased from 50,000 hectares in 2008-2009 to 63,000 hectares in 2020-2021, explained the same source, who added that the country currently has 6 million of these trees at national level.

"The date palm is a centuries-old culture in Morocco and a lever for the socio-economic development of Moroccan oases," the statement said.

The same source pointed out that the country's new agricultural plan "Génération Green 2020" envisages developing the sector by planting 5 million date palms by 2030.

In Morocco, dates are closely linked to celebrations, being consumed in large quantities during the fasting month of Ramadan and served at weddings and christenings.

In addition, dates are held in high esteem in the Muslim world in general as a fruit mentioned in the The Quran.

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