Tomatoes are grown in 90% of the greenhouse production areas for early vegetables. Early season tomato production increased steadily, since the World Bank financed “Primeurs” (early tomato) project in 1978, which introduced greenhouse technology and new seed varieties on wide scale. As a result the Moroccan production had to be adapted to the export season, which starts in October and ends in late March or April. The characteristics of the new technology are: a “long shelf life” tomato with an important potential for high yield and quality (presentation and firmness), fertigation and the introduction of “multichapel” or Banana style greenhouse. These technologies replace the old ones, which included old cultivars of low export quality, metal tunnel greenhouses (Delta 9), and gravity irrigation.
Transfer of production accompanied this conversion to the South (Agadir area), which has about 75% of the greenhouse areas compare to 40% in 1992.
Cycles and regions:
The following table shows the distribution of tomato production (in ha) by regions in 2001.
Region
|
Greenhouse |
Open
Field |
|
Fall |
Winter |
||
| Casablanca | 350 | 710 | |
| El Jadida | 740 | 2100 | |
| Agadir | 2100 | 1200 | |
| Total | 3190 | 2810 | 1200 |
Cycles:
- Fall production originates primarily in Casablanca and El Jadida. Sowing
is done in June /July and production starts in October/December.
The
Daniella and Graziella cultivars represent 90 % of the seed used for this
season.
- Winter production is grown mainly in Agadir.
Sowing
starts in March and harvesting extents from December to March. Most varieties
used are hybrids (Daniella, Graziella, Chorouk, etc..)
- Greenhouse production is increasingly concentrated in Agadir.
Sowing is initiated in late August early September, and harvest occurs between January and May. 90% of varieties are Daniella or Graziella.
NB:
There are also “industrial” or processed tomatoes, which are
grown in the north (about 3,500 ha); but these are not as important as
the fresh market tomato, which is for cash, export crop production for
Europe and USA.
For more information about Tomato Production and TYLCV Status in Morocco please Contact
Sedegui Mohamed: mohamedsedegui@hotmail.com
