INTRODUCTION

Sheep production plays a key role in Moroccan agriculture. In comparison to other ruminants, sheep are the most important species raised in the country not only in terms of size of the population but also in terms of geographical distribution. Sheep are produced in every region of Morocco regardless of altitude, climate and land utilization. The importance of this production can therefore be assessed at the following levels:

1. Economically, sheep contribute about 25 percent of total red meat consumed in the country and mutton is ranked first by the Moroccan consumer.  Consequently, a shortage of mutton on the market will usually have a larger impact on its price compared to beef or poultry. Sheep also produce wool and skins that are essential for the Moroccan handicraft sector.
2. Socially,  small  ruminants  and  particularly  sheep  represent  a significant source of income for small farmers and those who do not own land.  Because sheep, under traditional conditions, are often raised basically on grazing commonland (range, forest etc.), poor farmers with limited resources are interested in this activity.  Sheep production also benefits from available family labour.
3. Ecologically, Morocco, where arid and semi arid land dominates, has very large areas that cannot be cultivated but can be used to raise small ruminants.  Sheep in such areas can play a significant role in improving the level of income of the rural population.

As sheep production is not concentrated in one specific area and due to the large variability of natural and environmental conditions within the country, sheep are produced under different systems. Definition of production systems depends upon several factors such as breed, feeding calendar, feed resources, management practices, etc.

Several major breeds have been identified in Morocco. While their characteristics are still being defined, they seem to have large potentialities in terms of reproduction and growth. They are also well adapted to the harsh conditions that prevail during dry seasons and/or dry years.

Feed resources for sheep are dominated by range production and cereal by-products such as straw and stubble. It is not surprising therefore to find cereal production, sheep and range highly integrated at the regional and national levels.

Management practices in different parts of the country are still being studied, but traditional systems for breeding, feeding, housing and marketing largely dominate. Actions to improve some of these practises is now becoming more intensive, but productivity per ewe and year is still low.

Research on sheep nutrition and breeding in Morocco is recent and needs to be strengthened. Little literature has so far been published summarizing available knowledge. This paper will attempt to present this information and to highlight on-going research in these two disciplines.