Marigha - One year after the Al Haouz earthquake, the operations to implement the emergency program for reconstruction, rehabilitation and agricultural upgrading in the areas affected by the earthquake are progressing rapidly, in accordance with the High Instructions of HM King Mohammed VI. Designed to accelerate the repair of damage and the resumption of agricultural activity, this large-scale program focuses on several areas. These include the rehabilitation of rural roads, the distribution of sheep and goats to affected breeders, the restoration of small and medium-sized water facilities, the upgrading of hydrological stations, as well as the rehabilitation of irrigation canals (seguias), valorization units and cooperative headquarters. In many villages of Al Haouz province, such as El Bor and Marigha, farmers are benefiting from financial aid intended for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of their homes. Thanks to these reconstruction efforts, they are celebrating a return to normal, finding a new " home" and relaunching their agricultural activities with great determination and enthusiasm. In this context, Zineb Bensassi, Head of the Agricultural Production Sector Project Implementation Department, stressed that "following the earthquake of September 8, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forests implemented the emergency program which aims to rebuild animal capital through the distribution of 138,879 quintals of barley for 17,449 breeders" in Al Haouz province. "Some 11,890 heads of sheep and goats were distributed to 1,189 breeders, and the operation is still ongoing," she told MAP, noting that the rehabilitation of damaged seguias, with a linear length of 43.2 km, has been scheduled in order to revive the tree-growing sectors, in addition to the demolition of four seriously damaged production units, the rehabilitation of 19 units for the valorization of agricultural products and the establishment of a marketing platform for local products in Asni. In a similar stat ement, Moulay Idriss Ben El Haj, one of the farmers who lost his livestock following the earthquake, highly praised the "continuous and organized" support as well as the various initiatives aimed at ensuring the return of farmers and breeders to their activities. "These initiatives give us a sense of security. The support provided by the State and the parties concerned will help us rebuild our lives and continue farming," added Mr. Ben El Haj, who benefited from the operation of distributing sheep and goats to disaster-stricken farmers. For his part, Rachid Jadbak, another beneficiary from the El Bor village, welcomed the "exemplary commitment and continued mobilization" of the provincial authorities and institutional stakeholders who continue to supervise and monitor efforts to support disaster-stricken farmers. "This livestock aid is of capital importance for our survival. It will allow us to diversify our diet and generate income," he said. The emergency programme for reconstruction, rehabilitation and agricultural upgrading in the quake-affected areas contributes significantly to strengthening agricultural projects and accelerating development in the disaster areas. The programme is meant to create wealth and diversify activities to promote local agricultural products, with an emphasis on improving the population's income and the reinforced implementation of the "Green Generation" strategy. Source: Agence Marocaine De Presse