In Morocco, the lack of water affects agriculture, but also livestock farming. The cost of red meat is skyrocketing, and the country, previously self-sufficient in its production, is now forced to import from abroad. In the face of this situation, a bovine breed stands out. Raised exclusively in the mountainous region of Oulmès-Zaer, it naturally resists drought. A source of inspiration that the Moroccan government is striving to preserve and develop.
They have off-white eye contours, a mahogany coat that darkens slightly on the loins, beautiful arched horns, and a white muzzle... When they come down from their mountains for events like the International Agricultural Show in Morocco, which took place in mid-April in Meknes, the Oulmès-Zaer cows stand out for their appearance as well as their pedigree. Exclusively originating from this region of the Middle Atlas, in the hinterland of the capital Rabat, they are now the last 100% Moroccan breed in the country.
A breed highly resistant to diseases that adapts well to drought
"It is a species that has an extraordinary and highly prized meat... And its milk has one of the highest butterfat levels in the world as well as a high protein content," explains Ahmed Aïttaleb, a veterinarian trained at the Hassan II Agronomic and Veterinary Institute in Rabat, and director of the recently established Moroccan Federation of Oulmès-Zaer cattle breeders (FMERBOZ). "It is also a breed that is very resistant to diseases, and adapts well to drought... A sort of accordion-cow."
Today, this quality and adaptability are set as an example. For the past few years, Morocco has struggled to ensure its national production of red meat, which has been its reputation throughout North Africa. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the national livestock is decreasing, by 2% this year for sheep compared to last year, and by 4% for goats. As for cattle, if we only consider meat production, 40,000 calves are imported annually from Europe for breeding.
A breed that can ensure Morocco's self-sufficiency
Drought is one of the main explanatory factors. The lack of water for the 6th consecutive year is causing losses in fodder production. The importation of animal feed then becomes necessary, multiplying the production cost for the livestock farmer, and the purchase cost, at the end of the chain, for the consumer. The cows of Oulmès-Zaer themselves do not escape this situation. "In the last six years, the livestock intended for milk and meat production has greatly decreased," says Ahmed Aïttaleb. "From 15,000 heads in 2004, we have now dropped to 5,000."
This local and rustic breed, however, is full of potential to ensure the kingdom's self-sufficiency in meat. It only consumes the resources present on the Zaer plateau on which it evolves freely, in harmony with the local ecosystems. Since last November, it has been the subject of a program contract with the government to be preserved and developed.
The prize for the best local breed cow
"The goal is to reach 15,000 heads by 2030," says Ahmed Aïttaleb. Studies are also underway to label its meat, and study its derivatives such as milk and smen***... And why not, in the medium term, according to this specialist who began to take an interest in this breed during his studies, expand the breeding of this species to other regions. Especially if they have mountainous forests and similar pastoral traditions..."
Meanwhile, these high-altitude cows, heifers, and young bulls come to showcase their merits in competitions and exhibitions... It is actually one of them, in Meknes, that received the award for the best local breed cow, presented by the Moroccan Minister of Agriculture.
Its owner, Mohamed Jeddoubi, is the youngest of the breeders at FMERBOZ. For Ahmed Aïttaleb, he already embodies the future... that of the federation, just created in 2019, but also that of the revival of the Oulmès-Zaer breed in the country.