Morocco's International Agriculture Fair Expects Record Crowd
Rabat — Morocco launched its 17th International Agriculture Fair (SIAM) in Meknes on Monday with high expectations. Agriculture Minister Ahmed El Bouari announced that the event aims to attract over one million visitors this year.
'Water at the heart of sustainable development' serves as this edition's theme. El Bouari spoke of SIAM's theme significance, describing it as 'a very important subject' against the backdrop of climate challenges facing the world today.
Before recent rainfall, the North African country had been going through an intense period of drought, with a decline of over 40% in rainfall, a drop of 75% in water reserves, and an alarming depletion of underground water resources.
However, Morocco succeeded in managing the water crisis through several strategies, including restricted irrigation, issuing temporary permits for groundwater extraction, desalination, and water transport projects.
Speaking of France's position as the guest of honor at SIAM 2025, the minister said that this choice 'demonstrates the strength of relations between Morocco and France, particularly in agricultural development and food security.'
Visitors can explore a wide range of products and cutting-edge agricultural machinery at the fair.
The event aims to promote agricultural and livestock production while featuring key sectors of the regional economy, including agribusiness and food processing industries.
Read also: Water Scarcity and Climate Change: Navigating their Geopolitical Impact on Regional and Global Security
SIAM has successfully established itself as one of Africa's essential agricultural events.
It now serves as a prime platform for meetings and partnership opportunities between various stakeholders and operators in the agricultural ecosystem.
The international fair extends over 12.4 hectares in the historical heart of Meknes, providing a platform for over 1,500 exhibitors from 70 countries. It also aims to allow visitors and international participants to discover Morocco's agricultural assets and ambitions, ranging from advanced machinery, new farming techniques, and a wide range of regional products.
More than a platform to exhibit agricultural products and technologies, SIAM is an arena for scientific talks and expert-led panels that debate how Morocco and its counterparts can dodge the hurdles of climate change in a way that serves to preserve agricultural ecosystems.
By encouraging exchange between experts and agriculture savvies, institutions, and entrepreneurs, the fair also strives to foster practices and technologies capable of achieving lasting food sovereignty to contribute to the world's food security. Tags: agricultureMorocco SIAMSIAM 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Morocco World
9 hours ago
- Morocco World
Agriculture: Moroccan Growers Struggle to Find Manpower Despite High Unemployment
Rabat — Moroccan farmers are reportedly struggling to find agricultural workers, despite high unemployment affecting all sectors, including the agricultural industry. Hortdaily shed light on the struggles faced by Moroccan growers, stressing that the issue is a new and different kind of scarcity that has emerged. 'Moroccan growers are struggling to mobilize manpower and sound the alarm about an imminent crisis, the first signs of which are already present,' the same source said, quoting growers' concerns. One of the speakers described the situation as a 'labor scarcity' that affects all regions across the country, impacting the profitability of different sectors. Othmane Michbal, the deputy general manager of Domaines Zniber, described the situation as 'so dire today that labor is sourced anywhere from 100 to 150 kilometers away from production sites at a high cost.' Laraisse Esserhini, director of the Moroccan Association of Fruit and Vegetable Exporting Producers, echoed the same concerns, noting that the shortage of workers is extending to all production zones across the country. Immigration is one of the factors behind the shortage, as many Moroccan agricultural workers prefer to go to European countries on seasonal or permanent contracts to seek better opportunities. On an annual basis, dozens of agricultural workers flock to Spain in different seasons, including for strawberry collection campaigns. Unemployment or low pay rates are among the major reasons why Moroccans seek to leave the country for Europe or beyond. Recent data from the Moroccan High Commission for Planning (HCP) showed in November last year that the unemployment rate climbed to 13.6% in the third quarter of 2024. This means that unemployment inched up from 13.5% to 13.6%, showing a continuous trend in the lack of job opportunities, both in rural and urban areas. The statistics showed that unemployment shows the largest rise in the construction sector. The challenges also extend to the agriculture, forestry, and fishing sectors. Climate crisis affects the sector In addition to labor scarcity, Morocco is also facing other challenges driven by climate change. The North African country is enduring a seventh dry season due to the lack of rainfall and limited water reserves. Recent statistics from government sources show that the country has a capacity of one and a half years of potable drinking water. Water scarcity concerns led to several cautious measures, including the cancellation of the Eid Al Adha sacrifice ritual this year, as well as rational water use recommendations from the government. However, these concerns come amid the continuous production of water-thirsty crops, including watermelon and avocados. Recent reports showed that Morocco claimed a new place among the world's key avocado exporters. It has crossed the 100,000-ton mark in avocado exports, EastFruit reported. Parliament Member Fatima Tamni, who spoke to Morocco World News (MWN), condemned the lack of restrictions on the production of water-thirsty crops amid drought. 'The government is not fulfilling its role; it has not reduced exports or decreased the quantities of crops grown, all of which deplete water resources,' she told MWN, noting that the focus should first be on self-sufficiency and food security so that Morocco can support purchasing power and curb inflation. 'The government has not considered reducing the vegetables and fruits directed for export, including avocados, export is possible but not at the expense of Morocco's food security due to rising prices,' she added. Tags: agriculture exportincrease of unemployment
Morocco World
28-05-2025
- Morocco World
Spanish Royal Institute: 2030 World Cup Amplifies Morocco's Soft Power Strategy
Doha – Morocco's co-hosting of the 2030 FIFA World Cup represents the culmination of decades of persistent effort as the North African country will share hosting duties with Spain and Portugal. This achievement comes after five previous unsuccessful bids over 30 years. The Spanish Elcano Royal Institute for International and Strategic Studies published an analysis on May 26, examining Morocco's strategic approach to what will be one of the world's most-watched sporting events. Antonio Navarro Amuedo, author of the report titled 'World Cup 2030: The Deployment of Moroccan Soft Power on the Field,' dissects how Morocco views the tournament as a strategic soft power opportunity that serves multiple objectives beyond sports. It aims to enhance Morocco's international image, strengthen economic development through infrastructure projects, and 'reinforce the monarchy's political stature'—although the reality is that it is already anchored in centuries-old legitimacy since the founding of the Alaouite dynasty. The report positions the World Cup within Morocco's broader foreign policy strategy, which includes diversifying international alliances and reaffirming its sovereignty over the southern provinces in the Western Sahara. By 2024, Morocco's direct investment in Africa reached a notable $38 billion, in a clear indication of the country's expanding economic footprint and growing influence across the continent. The Maghreb country has maintained its traditional Western orientation while building new relationships with countries like Russia, Turkey, and China, adapting to an increasingly multipolar world order. Its renewed focus on African engagement—marked by its return to the African Union in 2017 after a 32-year absence—has brought substantial diplomatic leverage in confronting Algeria, which backs the separatist Polisario Front in the artificial dispute over the Western Sahara. A long-term vision bears fruit The Spanish Royal Institute's analysis pinpoints Morocco's persistent pursuit of hosting rights through bids for the 1994, 1998, 2006, 2010, and 2026 tournaments, persistence that has finally paid off. The 2030 tournament carries special significance as the World Cup's centennial celebration and represents a source of national pride for Moroccans. Navarro Amuedo notes widespread public enthusiasm for the tournament within Morocco, which contrasts with the 'more discrete reception' in co-hosts Spain and Portugal. The tournament will mark several historic firsts as it will be the first transcontinental World Cup spanning Europe and Africa, delivering 'a powerful message of cooperation between the two shores of a Mediterranean transformed in recent years into the world's deadliest migration route,' the report states. Morocco's successful national team performance at Qatar 2022, reaching the semifinals as the first African or Arab team to achieve this feat, significantly elevated national pride. The North African country now aims to translate sporting success into organizational excellence, with authorities recognizing that successfully hosting the tournament can project an image of a 'modern, tolerant and emerging country' to a global audience. Ambitious infrastructure development underway Six Moroccan cities—Tangier, Rabat, Fez, Casablanca, Marrakech, and Agadir—will host World Cup matches. The government has allocated $5.1 billion for World Cup preparations, of which $1.2 billion is earmarked specifically for infrastructure investments. The crown jewel of Morocco's World Cup preparations is the planned Hassan II Grand Stadium in Casablanca, which aims to become the world's largest stadium with a capacity of 115,000 spectators. Moroccan authorities hope this impressive venue will host the tournament's final match, which would be the culmination of their World Cup ambitions. The report details Morocco's comprehensive infrastructure program that extends beyond stadiums to include major upgrades for airports in Casablanca, Agadir, Fez, Marrakech, and Tangier. These improvements target a combined capacity of 35 million passengers by 2029, with the government committing over $2.6 billion to these airport expansions while also planning important investments in road networks and urban infrastructure. Navarro Amuedo acknowledges potential domestic challenges associated with these investments. The concentration of development in urban areas, particularly along the privileged Tangier-Rabat-Casablanca-Marrakech axis, could exacerbate regional disparities and fuel social tensions. Additionally, the report cautions about possible corruption risks associated with major construction projects in a country that 'still registers high levels of opacity,' though it stops short of questioning the broader institutional trajectory or recent reforms undertaken by Morocco. Strengthening international relations The joint World Cup bid reinforces Morocco's improving relationships with its Iberian neighbors, particularly Spain, with whom relations have strengthened significantly since 2022, when Spain endorsed Morocco's Autonomy Plan for Western Sahara. This endorsement marked the resolution of a year-long bilateral crisis and the beginning of what both governments describe as an 'extraordinary' new phase in relations. Commercial ties between Spain and Morocco reached record levels in 2024, with Spain upholding its position as Morocco's top trading partner since 2013. Cooperation on sensitive issues such as migration control and counter-terrorism has intensified, resulting in reduced irregular migration to Spain and successful joint operations against terrorist cells planning attacks in both countries. The Spanish Royal Institute analysis frames the 2030 World Cup as Morocco's international coming-of-age moment, comparing its potential impact to Spain's transformative year of 1992, when Barcelona hosted the Olympics and Seville held the World Expo. 'The success in preparing and holding the championship is a collective aspiration shared by Moroccan authorities and society,' writes Navarro Amuedo. The report concludes that the tournament will showcase 'emerging Morocco of the 21st century' while advancing the country's broader diplomatic objectives, particularly in garnering international support for its position on Western Sahara. For Morocco, the ultimate goal is to capitalize on the global appeal of the most prestigious sporting event to solidify its status as a stable, capable regional power bridging Europe and Africa.
Ya Biladi
28-05-2025
- Ya Biladi
Moroccan olive oil triumphs globally : Top producers honored at Rabat ceremony
The award ceremony honoring Moroccan olive oil producers who distinguished themselves in prestigious international competitions in 2025 was held on Tuesday in Rabat, under the presidency of the Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forests, Ahmed El Bouari. Among those recognized were the Zoyout Essaouira Cooperative, winner of gold medals at the international olive oil competitions in Geneva, Miami, Abu Dhabi, and Istanbul; the Nour Mejjat Cooperative, which received a silver medal in Istanbul; and the Oléa Capital Company, awarded a gold medal in Athens and a platinum medal in Istanbul. This event celebrated the exceptional achievements of these Moroccan producers, who have set themselves apart through their dedication to quality, innovation, and sustainability. It also reaffirmed the ministry's commitment to supporting the sector's stakeholders and consolidating Morocco's position as a global leader in olive oil production. In his remarks, Ahmed El Bouari praised the laureates for their dedication and their exemplary contribution to a sustainable and efficient agricultural sector. He emphasized that the sector's growth is reflected in the recognition of Morocco's top olive-growing cooperatives and companies. The minister also highlighted the invaluable contributions of the men and women who drive the dynamism of the national agricultural sector and actively promote Moroccan products on the international stage. For his part, Rachid Benali, president of the Moroccan Olive Interprofession (Interprolive), underscored the importance of international recognition for Moroccan olive oil producers, noting its positive impact in inspiring farmers and industry professionals across the country. He further commended the efforts of Moroccan professionals who have managed to stand out globally, reinforcing the reputation of Moroccan olive oil—a true symbol of ancestral expertise and universally recognized quality.
