22-04-2025
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
