Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani recently led a meeting in Ouajft, a city in the Adrar region, as part of his four-day visit to the area. During the meeting, he emphasized the government's commitment to developing the national oasis agriculture sector. The President announced plans to establish a National Agency for Oasis Development and restructure the Mauritanian Dates Company. These initiatives aim to improve agricultural production, enhance marketing conditions, and connect oasis areas to the paved road network.
The President expressed his gratitude to the elected officials, cadres, and leaders in Ouajft for their active participation in the meeting. He acknowledged the concerns, suggestions, and proposals presented, describing them as legitimate and important. The President assured that the government's responses to the discussions provided information and details that addressed several citizen concerns and aspirations. He noted that some demands were already being addressed through existing or programmed projects, while others would be considered and given due attention.
President El Ghazouani highlighted Ouajft's significant historical, cultural, and economic importance in the Adrar region and the country as a whole. He expressed hope that the region would continue to play a vital role in national development. The President also noted improvements in access to basic services and development in Ouajft, particularly in healthcare and education. He cited the establishment of health centers and schools, including a recently opened boarding school for the Ouajft high school.
The President emphasized the need to optimize the economic potential of Ouajft, particularly in agriculture, including oasis farming and vegetable production. He stressed that developing agriculture requires ensuring access to water, a crucial condition for boosting agricultural production. The President also highlighted the importance of connecting oasis areas to paved roads, facilitating the transportation of products and improving marketing conditions.
President El Ghazouani noted that Mauritania has significant agricultural potential and production capacities, but a substantial portion remains untapped. He emphasized the importance of learning from recent global crises, which have shown that countries unable to produce their basic food needs domestically are vulnerable to risks. The President stressed that national sovereignty is linked to the ability to secure food and produce essential needs locally.
The President discussed the government's efforts to support the agricultural sector, including the establishment of over 150 agricultural dams and the reclamation of thousands of hectares. He also mentioned the construction of irrigation channels, which will enable the irrigation of an additional 20,000 hectares. These projects are expected to be completed by the end of the year, contributing to increased national production and food sovereignty.
President El Ghazouani expressed concern about the limited sales of the national dates company, which are less than 450 tons per year. He noted that the volume of imported dates reflects the need to boost local production, with around 7,600 tons of imported dates recorded in the first seven months of the year. The President estimated the value of these imports at approximately 7.6 billion ouguiyas, highlighting the potential for developing local date production.
Key points
- The Mauritanian government plans to establish a National Agency for Oasis Development and restructure the Mauritanian Dates Company to improve agricultural production and marketing conditions.
