Solving pests problems in Morocco

摘要

The increasing pressure of pests and diseases in Morocco is proving very challenging for tomato growers. On the one hand they want to reduce pesticide use to fit in with global trends but on the other hand chemical control is almost essential to copewith the high numbers of pests. During the last ten years Morocco has become an increasing competive producer of greenhouse vegetables. The total covered area of plastic greenhouses has reached 14,530 ha with vegetables by far the most important crops (see box). One of the country's most important production regions is in the southwest in the Souss Valley where the mild climate favours year-round cropping Here greenhouses cover about 9000 ha, almost 50% of which are dedicated to tomatoes grown mainly for export to Europe.