Mohamed Taher Sraïri

Institut Agronomique et Vétérinaire Hassan II · Department of Animal Production and Biotechnology

The 2nd International Symposium on Work in Agriculture (March 29–April 1 2021) was a moment for debate on the perspectives of work in agriculture. In this article, we propose to summarize the exchanges that outline the major issues from this event. We made a bibliometric analysis of all the contributions presented and a cross-cutting expert synthes...

In this study, uses of labor were characterized using the ‘Work Balance’ method in a sample of 17 oasis farms. The results showed that almost 44% of total uses of labor are devoted to livestock, while the remainders 56% are used for crops. The labor required to raise livestock was almost entirely (92%) provided by family member, whereas that requir...

In this introductory paper, we discuss changes in work in agriculture arising from the influence of a wide variety of factors: global food chains and societal controversies about farming models, the status of agricultural work as a profession alongside others; the progress of rural development; issues of precariousness in work and in health. We sum...

In this study, uses of labor were characterized using the ‘Work Balance’ method in a sample of 30 farms representing the diversity of farming dynamics within the Drâa valley oases (South East of Morocco). The efficiency of labor was analyzed through the elaboration of work time uses per products’ outputs (either crops or animal source food), as wel...

The agricultural sector is a strategic economic activity in Morocco, still accounting for around 14% of GDP and employing 40% of the active population. With the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been literally shaken up, with growing uncertainties about market opportunities and workers’ availability, given the drop in consumers’ incomes an...

A healthy planet provides the foundation for the sustainability and resilience of social-ecological systems. However, the recent evolution of human society has impacted the vital balance of such systems in dangerous ways, with some irreversible trends. The conventional growth models are to be blamed for current environmental and climate disruptions...

A large proportion of rural households, particularly in the dry land areas, representative for more than 10% of the world's land surface and up to 80% in Morocco, depend for their livelihoods on livestock. They exploit livestock's capacity to live in very harsh environments using herd-mobility at multiple scale level. Understanding the multiple con...

Nomad, semi-nomad and transhumant used to be the most frequent mobility types of pastoral society. Nowadays, these categories become questionable in regard to the evolution of the pattern life of families in southern Morocco. How do we link past and present mobility? What have been the changes? In this article, we question the relevance of the afor...

Le dromadaire est capable de s’accommoder de l’hostilité du milieu désertique en mettant en valeur la végétation qui y est produite. Ces dernières années, il est l’objet d’un regain d’intérêt, eu égard à la qualité de ses produits et à ses caractéristiques physiologiques qui font de cette espèce l’une des plus aptes à s’adapter au changement climat...

Le secteur agricole constitue une activité importante au Maroc, représentant 14 % du produit national brut et employant 40 % de la population active. Avec l’émergence de la pandémie de la Covid-19, il a été ébranlé par des incertitudes économiques et par la distanciation physique qui a accentué les contraintes du travail. Toutefois, l’agriculture s...

La filière laitière occupe une place importante à l’échelle mondiale, en termes de contribution à l’occupation des surfaces agricoles, aux emplois et à la création de richesse. La production laitière, qui résulte de modèles productifs très variés d’un pays à l’autre et qui relève d’espèces animales aux caractéristiques différentes, a considérableme...

Mediterranean livestock farming systems have evolved to adapt to current and future pressures, including strong demographic growth and urbanization in the coastal zone, greater competition for land and water, and a big shift in the hinterland where farming activities are hardly maintained. We aim to explore future pathways for integrated crop-lives...

Multiple constraints, such as an increased demographic pressure and a growing competition for limited water resources, are significantly affecting farming systems in the oases. The combination of these constraining factors impacts the efficiency of inputs' uses and hampers the incomes from the agricultural activities. Livestock has always been a co...

Why does the governance of pastoral systems need to be based on coviability?

All over the world, farmers have to face up to increasing uncertainties (market and climate). They have to adapt their activity to the new contexts and challenges of livestock farming (producing more and better, and satisfying the expectations of society, consumers, and of downstream operators), while at the same time responding to their own expect...

01E Code: SECCP Title Abstract At the interaction between oases and deserts, camel systems have been identified as the most efficient in valorizing scarce resources (water, land and capital). These systems have recently witnessed important changes due to climate change, the modernization of living conditions and the evolutions in resources' access...

Options to mitigate water scarcity in water stressed areas

Two investigations were carried out to characterize how farms manage work as a means to cope with several constraints. The investigations were based on the application of the “Work Assessment” method in 44 farms, located in two regions in Morocco. A first investigation protocol was applied in 30 farms in a rainfed agricultural area with possibiliti...

Marketing cooperatives in developing and transition countries face challenges when they aim to strengthen their competitiveness. One of these challenges relates to improving the quality of the products delivered by their members. Another challenge relates to the financial sustainability of the cooperative, as cooperatives have to choose between pay...

Livestock is a crucial component in the oasis agricultural systems. Given its complementary incomes, the manure for soil fertilization and its draft power, livestock contributes to food security and ensures resilience of these systems. However, oases have recently witnessed significant changes, due to a growing pressure on soil and water resources...

This research aims to characterize the ways crop-livestock farms adapt themselves to work constraints. A follow-up of work activities was achieved in a sample of 14 family farms. Work times in each agricultural activity (livestock and crops) were quantified, distinguishing the contributions of family members and that of the off-farm workers. Result...

The Moroccan agricultural sector is facing emerging challenges. First, the country is characterized by a significant water stress, as the volume of renewable water per capita does not exceed 750 cubic meters per year. In addition, climate change scenarios predict a decrease by 10 to 15% of average rainfall over the next decades and a rise of 2°C in...

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Les évolutions récentes de l’approvisionnement en pro­duits animaux au Maroc ont montré une nette diminution de la contribution des élevages extensifs. Dans un contexte de forte croissance démographique (de 15,3 à 32,9 millions d’habitants entre 1956 et 2013) associée à une urbanisation rapide (près de 60 % de la population vit dans des centres urb...

La contrainte hydrique constitue un facteur limitant avéré de la production agricole dans un pays aride à semi-aride comme le Maroc. Dans cette étude, la valorisation de l’eau par l’élevage bovin a été étudiée, dans des exploitations du plateau du Saïs irriguant à partir de la nappe et/ou de sources. Le protocole de recherche a caractérisé les term...

This study analyzes key factors influencing water productivity in cattle rearing, particularly in contexts characterized by water scarcity. This was done through year-round monitoring of on-farm practices within five smallholder farms located in the Saïss area (northern Morocco). The on-farm monitoring protocol consisted of characterizing: (i) volu...

L’élevage bovin laitier au Maroc a connu ces dernières années une évolution mouvementée. Cette activité contribue pourtant fortement à l’approvisionnement des laiteries et des marchés urbains, ainsi qu’au maintien des conditions de vie en zone rurale. La présente étude a eu pour objectif de caractériser les performances techniques et économiques de...

The present study investigates the gap between the daily milk production potential and the effective milk yields in six herds. These two parameters and their changes were observed in the Gharb irrigation scheme (northwest of Morocco), during a five months study period. They were analyzed in relation to the changes in the rations of the cows and in...

Recent developments in Moroccan agriculture have reinforced the differences between a small minority of farms specialized in high value cash crops and a vast majority of smallholders units with diversified crop/livestock systems, often considered as underdeveloped. The first group has benefited in priority of agricultural subsidies and has also acc...

https://colloque.inra.fr/lait2014/Programme2

Au Maroc, le prix de revient du lait est un enjeu important de l’élevage bovin, car la volatilité accrue des prix des intrants commence à malmener sérieusement sa rentabilité. Aussi, la présente étude vise à caractériser le prix de revient du lait bovin. L’analyse a été effectuée dans 86 élevages de sept régions et représentatifs de la diversité de...

A significant increase in the global demand of animal products is expected in the near future, because of changes in food consumption patterns in emerging countries. To fulfil the needs, a “Livestock Revolution” should occur and it will have to target in priority smallholder farms in developing countries, as they are the main actors in supply chain...

The Maghreb countries (Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia) have experienced since the early 1950s a rapid demographic growth coupled to a significant rhythm of urbanization. This has led to a marked increase in the demand of dairy products. In order to secure the supply, specific policies have been implemented. They mainly consisted in the establishment...

http://sisca.com.br/resumos/SISCA_2013_103.pdf

Work and its contribution to the adaptation strategies of smallholder family farms within mixed crop/livestock systems. Work and its management represent an adaptation opportunity for farms characterized by scarce land and capital resources. To verify this assumption, the “Work Balance” method was used in 30 family farms of different sizes and capi...

Work and its management represent an adaptation opportunity for farms characterized by scarce land and capital resources. To verify this assumption, the "Work Balance" method was used in 30 family farms of different sizes and capital uses, located in the Saïss region (Centre East of Morocco). The study showed that small-scale farms (less than 1 ha)...

Global demand of dairy products and its recent developmentmay put the world supply at risk. To fulfill growing needs, it is widely accepted that a "Livestock Revolution" will be required worldwide. This trend will have to be carried in developing countries, particularly by targeting small scale farms which represent the main actors in animal produc...

Purpose: The study investigated to what extent local farmers' organisations are spaces where farmers discuss, learn and innovate. Design/methodology/approach: Two milk collection cooperatives in Morocco were studied. The study analysed the discussion networks, their impacts on farmers' knowledge and innovation, and the performance of collective act...

Simulation tools for supporting crop-livestock farmers in their strategic decisionmaking Digitized models are potentially valuable to support farmers in their strategic decisionmaking processes. They are, however, scarcely used in advisory contexts. This paper describes two experiments with, on the one hand, dairy farmers in Morocco and on the othe...

A research intervention was conducted in the dairy supply chain of the Tadla irrigation scheme in Morocco. The main objective was to assess water productivity through dual purpose herds (milk and meat) and to identify ways of improving it through better fodder yields and cattle rearing practices. An intervention method was tested. It relied on tech...

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of technical support provided to five small-scale cattle farms in the Tadla irrigation scheme (Morocco) on their milk yield. The first stage consisted of assessing the initial management of dairy herds, especially feeding strategies, and their effects on milk output. This diagnosis revealed major gaps betwee...

The dairy production in Morocco has been stimulated by various prompting measures. Its development took place mainly in the regions where irrigation was possible. At present, the conditions are less favourable and the production system of the dairy farms has to be studied anew, particularly in the non-irrigated zones, where these farms are moreover...

Milk and Dairy Products Consumption in the City of Rabat (Morocco): Effects of Social and Professional Factors. This study aimed to characterize milk and dairy products consumption and its determining factors in different social and professional categories in the city of Rabat, Morocco. Surveys have been realised with 100 households in 6 different...

The relationship between irrigated schemes, farms and agro-food processors may provide leeway to improve water saving and water productivity. This study was conducted in the dairy supply area of the Tadla irrigation scheme in Morocco and in the oasis area in southern Tunisia where dates are grown for export. The study was based on (i) a framework c...

This study aims to characterize water productivity in cattle farms facing severe water stress. Agricultural practices were monitored on six farms in a large-scale Moroccan irrigation scheme. Results showed marked variability in forage yields, milk production and live weight gain. Mean forage biomass yields represented less than two-thirds of their...

Multivariate analyses were used to compare dairy production practices and their consequences on milk yield and profitability in cattle farms from two representative regions of Morocco. A regular follow-up of 118 farms (48 in the Rabat-Salé suburban belt and 70 in the Gharb irrigated perimeter) was undertaken to obtain accurate data. Results show si...

In many developing countries, milk production varies greatly according to farm size, cattle breed, and milking practices. However, production systems often are dominated by smallholder farms. Therefore, relatively small volumes of milk are delivered daily from numerous farms to intermediate cooperatives which supply industrial units. This paper arg...

Une démarche de « suivi – intervention » a été adoptée dans cinq exploitations agricoles, illustrant la diversité des situations d'élevage bovin laitier dans le périmètre irrigué du Tadla (Maroc). Un diagnostic initial de gestion de l'élevage (alimentation et reproduction) et de ses répercussions sur la productivité et la rentabilité des troupeaux...

The conversion of water resources into milk is of main importance to the sustainability of cattle farms in irrigated schemes located in arid zones. From the example of six farms in the Tadla region (East centre of Morocco), the authors have determined the amounts of water needed to produce fodder and the amounts of feed needed to obtain milk. There...

Since the early eighties, structural adjustment policies have been applied to the agricultural sector in Morocco. This has progressively led to the suppression of all kinds of incentives at farm level. As a consequence, cattle systems have been forced to adapt themselves to survive. This paper discusses the diversity of dairy cattle production syst...

Dairy cattle production has always been considered as an important axis of all agricultural policies adopted by Maghreb countries since the beginning of the post independence era (Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia). It has mainly been encouraged as a means of securing income and employment at the farm level. it is also considered to be a relevant way o...

The supply chain concept is used for analyzing the management of a dairy plant supply area located in a large Moroccan irrigation scheme. Four main stakeholders are identified, i.e. the scheme manager, the dairy company, milk collection co-operatives and dairy farmers using irrigation water. The tools and processes implemented in order to co-ordina...

La valorisation des ressources hydriques en produits animaux est au coeur de la réflexion sur la pérennité des élevages bovins laitiers en zone aride irriguée. A travers les exemples de six exploitations agricoles dans le périmètre irrigué du Tadla (centre-est du Maroc), les auteurs déterminent les efficiences de conversion de l’eau en fourrages, p...

Le bassin de collecte laitier situé sur le périmètre du Tadla se structure autour d’une usine de transformation industrielle approvisionnée par une myriade de petits éleveurs. Cette atomisation de l’offre a rendu nécessaire la mise en place de coopératives de collecte chargées d’agréger l’offre et d’assurer la chaîne du froid au plus près des produ...

Résumé Le concept de chaîne d'approvisionnement est appliqué à un ensemble composé d'un bassin de collecte laitière adossé à un grand périmètre irrigué marocain pour en comprendre le fonctionnement. Quatre grands types d'acteurs sont identifiés, à savoir : le gestionnaire de périmètre, l'industriel laitier, les coopératives de collecte et les éleve...

La filière laitière marocaine a connu une évolution mouvementée depuis le début des années 1970 jusqu’à nos jours. La situation initiale, très protégée, se caractérisait par un interventionnisme étatique prononcé car il fallait pallier dans l’urgence la rareté du lait face à une demande en plein essor. A partir de 1980, l’application de mesures d’a...

This study was carried out to evaluate the hygienic quality of raw milk and its relationship to milking conditions in Morocco. A total of 109 bulk milk samples obtained directly after milking from 109 different farms around the city of Rabat-Salé, were examined. Concurrently, the rearing and milking conditions in these farms were investigated. To e...

L’économie et la valorisation de l’eau d’irrigation dépendent des décisions prises par les agriculteurs en matière de choix d’assolement, de modes de conduite des systèmes de production et de stratégies de commercialisation. Si les gestionnaires de périmètre comme les opérateurs aval des filières influencent ces décisions, ils sont souvent démunis...

This study was undertaken to assess the factors, which influence the variations of cows' milk global quality in 5 suburban dairy cattle farms in Morocco. A regular follow-up of farms was adapted to characterise cattle rearing practices. Twelve samples of bulk tank milk were collected per farm. They were analysed for physical and chemical parameters...

The characterisation of dairy farming systems in the Gharb irrigated perimeter, located in the north-western plains of Morocco, was achieved through regular enquiries of seventy farms, during 2000/2001 agricultural campaign. Main objective of this study was to describe diversity in cattle farming practices, in a context of limited references, in or...

Water productivity in agriculture is multi-facetted, difficult to apply beyond a mere physical interpretation of it, and common to a variety of disciplines, each one of them with its own interpretation of the scales of analysis, the objectives of the analysis and the terms of the indicators used. However, if one understands the pitfalls, the water...

A great diversity of cattle rearing practices prevails in Morocco. In order to clarify their consequences on dairy farms technical performances (milk yield and reproduction traits) and economic profitability, a series of follow-up were achieved. This consisted in an application of a systemic approach to dairy farms located in two different regions...