ISHS Acta Horticulturae 582: International Symposium on Mediterranean Horticulture: Issues and Prospects
INTEGRATED PRODUCTION AND PROTECTION OF GREENHOUSE TOMATO IN MOROCCO |
| Authors: | A. Hanafi, A. El-Fadl |
| Keywords: | controlled environment agriculture, Lycopersicon esculentum, tomato yellow leaf curl virus, vegetable production |
| Abstract:
Protected cultivation was introduced to Morocco in 1970 and went through a rapid expansion in the last 30 years. The aim of the expansion was to enhance off-season production of vegetables and fruit, to produce earlier crops than open field production, and to improve yield and quality of the agricultural products. In 1971, only 1.6 ha of greenhouse was planted in Morocco, but this area increased to 16 ha by 1975. From 1981 to 1991 the area of greenhouse increased to 4841 ha and in 2000, the area under protected cultivation was estimated to 11400 ha. This latest development was partly the consequence of regulations by the EU restricting the period of export of vegetables from Morocco to EU to the period November-April. Vegetables crops were the first crops to be grown under greenhouse in Morocco. Ten years later banana and cut flowers were cultivated in greenhouse and grapes were added in 1996. Tomato is by far the number one crop grown under greenhouse and covers more than 50% of total greenhouse area. This was due mainly to high profitability of this crop but also to inducement by government who provide 70% of loans to private investors through banks with 2% discount from the interest rate and a 20% cash advance to growers with low interest rate (2%). | |
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