Local Agroecological Practices and Chemical Inputs used in Mint Farming Systems, Regions of Fez-Meknes and Casablanca-Settat, Morocco

The mint crop has been widely used in tea, as a national beverage, and as a medicinal plant for decades. However, there is a lack of data in the literature on several aspects of constraint management in this crop. To fill this knowledge gap, we conducted cross-sectional surveys with 264 mint growers, in the Fes-Meknes and Casablanca-Settat region, leaders of mint production to (i) track the status of pesticide and biopesticide use; (ii) gather information on technical management of mint crop; (iii) know the main phytosanitary problems; (iv) control methods of diseases, pests, and weeds, including agroecological practices. Our results indicate that there is a significant difference between the different provinces of the two regions in several aspects such as the diseases and pests encountered and consequently in the phytosanitary products and control methods, due to the pedoclimatic differences between the two regions. The biological control of insects is carried out by using black soap, neem oil, Melia azedarach (L.) extract, and Bacillus thuringiensis. Rotation with legumes (87.1%), and intercropping mint with aromatic and medicinal plants (22.8%), are the agroecological practices most frequently used by farmers. The relationship between farmers’ practices and parameters related to mint yielding, pathogens involved, and pesticide usage was revealed to be strong and complementary. In summary, our work stands out for its focus on specific regions, its innovative agroecological approach, its in-depth analysis of the chemicals used, and its commitment to close collaboration with the farming community. These combined elements make our research an original and significant contribution to the field of sustainable agriculture, both nationally and globally.