Latest news with #InternationalAgriculturalShowinMorocco
Maroc
24-04-2025
- Business
- Maroc
Morocco's AAA Initiative Seen as Key to Boosting Africa's Climate-Resilient Farming
Morocco's AAA Initiative (Adaptation of African Agriculture), launched by HM King Mohammed VI, is an ambitious continental effort to enhance agricultural resilience in the face of climate change, Agriculture Minister Ahmed El Bouari said on Wednesday. Speaking at the 5th Annual Ministerial Conference of the AAA Initiative during the International Agricultural Show in Morocco (SIAM), El Bouari said the platform brings together governments, researchers, and development partners behind a common vision for adaptation. 'Without strong action, Africa risks losing up to 25% of its agricultural production by 2050,' he warned. The initiative has already launched several partnerships, notably with the International Platform on Adaptation Metrics (IPAM), which supports the implementation of climate adaptation frameworks outlined at COP28 in Dubai and the upcoming COP29 in Belém, El Bouari said. He also highlighted the Agricultural Investment Project Incubator (APIA), developed with the African Adaptation Initiative, which aims to mobilize $780 million to fund sustainable agriculture projects across the continent. The AAA Initiative, he noted, has built its presence through increased scientific publications, regional collaboration, and participation in global forums, solidifying its role as a leading African platform for climate-resilient agriculture. Held under the theme 'Agroforestry and Climate Resilience,' the ministerial conference brought together African agriculture ministers, financial institutions, researchers, and development agencies to outline strategic directions for the sector's adaptation to climate challenges. (MAP: 23 April 2025)
Ya Biladi
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
SIAM 2025 : Adoption of the declaration from the 5th AAA Initiative conference
The 5th Annual Ministerial Conference of the AAA Initiative (Adaptation of African Agriculture), held Wednesday in Meknes on the sidelines of the International Agricultural Show in Morocco (SIAM) 2025, concluded with the adoption of a declaration by Ministers of Agriculture and representatives of international and regional institutions. In this context, the officials endorsed a series of commitments, both in response to the outcomes of the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) and in preparation for COP30. These commitments aim to fulfill climate pledges and ensure equitable access to climate finance, transform agricultural systems toward sustainability and climate resilience, strengthen food security, support the most vulnerable stakeholders, and intensify international cooperation and advocacy. To that end, they called for reinforcing this dynamic through the development of Climate-Resilient Agricultural Investment Plans, the creation of strategic partnerships to mobilize financing, and stronger advocacy on the international stage—particularly at upcoming Conferences of the Parties and within specialized bodies of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. In response to the climate emergency, the officials advocated for greater synergy among major regional initiatives, such as the Abidjan Initiative and the three African Climate Commissions born from the 2016 Marrakech Summit: the Congo Basin Commission, the Sahel Region Commission, and the Island States Commission. They emphasized that this complementarity should contribute to a coherent, ambitious, and distinctly African strategy. They also highlighted Morocco's leadership in South-South cooperation as both an inspiration and a strategic lever for promoting innovative financing solutions tailored to the realities of African agriculture. In this spirit, the AAA Initiative was called upon to fully assume its role as a catalyst by fostering dialogue between experts and policymakers, and by establishing concrete support and training programs for farmers and producers' organizations. Finally, the Ministers and representatives reaffirmed their commitment to the objectives of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, pledging to protect Africa's most vulnerable populations and safeguard the planet for future generations.
Morocco World
23-04-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
OCP at SIAM 2025: Morocco's Catalyst for a Resilient Agricultural Future
Rabat – At this year's International Agricultural Show in Morocco (SIAM), the OCP Group steps forward as a fertilizer giant, as well as a driver of deep transformation across farming landscapes. Faced with climate urgency and growing water scarcity, the group builds its presence around a message that feels increasingly vital: Africa's agricultural future must rely on resilience, inclusion, and science. OCP does not arrive in Meknes with slogans. It brings a clear structure, soil health, water independence, carbon balance, and community support, anchored in research and delivered through long-term partnerships. This vision reflects more than institutional ambition. It proves that agriculture can feed and protect at once, but only if reimagined from the ground up. Soil as the starting point At the heart of OCP's strategy lies a deep respect for soil. Instead of offering generic solutions, the Group promotes precision: right source, right rate, right time, right place. This approach moves beyond convention and brings customization to the field. Through its Nutricrops subsidiary, OCP develops blends adapted to specific crops, regions, and soil types. These are not off-the-shelf fertilizers. They answer real needs, informed by real data. The research behind this effort spans continents. With support from UM6P and INNOVX, OCP studies soil biology, tests new microbial inputs, and experiments with nanotechnologies. Over 52 million hectares of land have already been mapped, and thousands of tailored formulas now support more sustainable yields across Africa. A new relationship with water Morocco's battle with water scarcity no longer feels abstract. Entire regions face shortages. Farmers feel the pressure every season. In response, OCP launched Green Water, a subsidiary dedicated to producing non-conventional water from desalination and wastewater reuse. It's not a side project. It's a lifeline. Today, OCP's operations rely entirely on non-conventional water. In Khouribga and Jorf Lasfar, massive infrastructure ensures mining and production continue without drawing from freshwater sources. At the same time, cities like Safi and El Jadida benefit from this shift, gaining access to treated water that once would have been lost. OCP now works to extend these efforts to more regions, Marrakech, Khouribga, Youssoufia, while providing a replicable model for sustainable agriculture across the continent. Towards a climate-ready industry OCP's climate strategy does not stop at agriculture. It targets the entire production chain. The Group aims for carbon neutrality by 2040, with a first milestone, full Scope 1 and 2 neutrality, set for 2030. Already, over 85% of its energy comes from renewables. This transition involves more than switching energy sources. It means rethinking products, processes, and priorities. Low-carbon fertilizers, like the Group's green TSP, form one part of the picture. Circular water systems and solar-powered desalination plants form another. These changes do not happen in isolation. They align with a wider effort to ground OCP's growth in ecological balance. Soil as a carbon sink In Morocco, the Tourba program introduces a new way of thinking about soil as a growing medium and as a living reservoir for carbon. Launched by OCP, Tourba partners with farmers to introduce techniques such as direct seeding and regenerative rotation. The goal is to sequester carbon, restore fertility, and improve yields without chemical overload. So far, over 2,000 Moroccan farmers have joined the project. UM6P's soil research plays a critical role here, using spectroscopy to track carbon retention and soil vitality. OCP hopes to extend this model across 6 million hectares by 2030 and remove an estimated 7 million tons of CO2 from the atmosphere every year. Centering communities OCP's long-term bet lies with people. Through programs like Al Moutmir, over 120 agronomic engineers work directly with farmers in more than 40 provinces. They offer more than technical support. They build relationships and trust, key to lasting change. Initiatives such as ElleMoutmir and MyCOOP support rural women and cooperatives, while Farmer-to-Farmer fosters shared knowledge across regions. In 2024 alone, the OCP Foundation supported close to 90,000 people through agricultural, educational, and social programs. In Morocco's southern provinces, the Phosboucraa Foundation carries this vision further, tailoring support to the needs and aspirations of Saharan communities. OCP does not present itself as a savior of agriculture. It positions itself as a partner, scientific, strategic, and rooted in the long term. At SIAM 2025, the phosphate giant's presence stands as a reflection of Morocco's evolving role in the global agricultural conversation. The challenges are enormous. But the response, if grounded in science and shared responsibility, can open a new chapter, not only for Morocco but for African agriculture as a whole.
Maroc
23-04-2025
- Business
- Maroc
Italian Agriculture Minister Hails Morocco's Regional Leadership in Water Management
Italian agriculture minister Francesco Lollobrigida praised Morocco's regional leadership, on Tuesday in Meknes, and its key role in Euro-mediterranean cooperation and addressing global challenges, particularly water management. Following bilateral talks with his Moroccan counterpart Ahmed El Bouari, on the sidelines of the International Agricultural Show in Morocco (SIAM), the Italian Minister commended the exemplary organization of what he called an "extremely significant" event for the environment, sustainable development, and interregional cooperation. Reaffirming Italy's commitment to strengthening bilateral synergies, Lollobrigida said he was willing to deepen cooperation in promoting shared activities, supporting businesses, and enhancing product quality. The Italian official also welcomed the theme devoted to water management chosen for this edition, which he described as "a great moment of exchange around one of our planet's major priorities." Under the High Patronage of HM King Mohammed VI, SIAM 2025 runs from April 21 to 27 in Meknes, hosting 1,500 exhibitors from 70 countries under the theme "Agriculture and the Rural World: Water at the Heart of Sustainable Development." MAP: 22 avril 2025
