Spanish Minister Hails Morocco's International Agricultural Exhibition as Most Prestigious in North Africa

Luis Planas, the Spanish Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, has described the International Agricultural Exhibition in Morocco as one of the most esteemed exhibitions in North Africa. The 16th edition of the Salon International de l'Agriculture au Maroc (SIAM), held in Meknes from April 22-28, 2024, features Spain as the guest of honor.

The event brings together nearly 1,500 exhibitors from 70 countries and is expected to attract over 900,000 visitors. As the guest of honor, Spain has a large representation of companies covering various stages of agricultural production. The Spanish government has also developed a full program of events and conferences to discuss issues such as agricultural innovation, sustainability, climate change, and water management.

Why this matters: The International Agricultural Exhibition in Morocco serves as an important platform for strengthening cooperation between Spain and Morocco in the agricultural sector. It showcases technologies and innovations that can help address challenges faced by Moroccan agriculture, such as water scarcity, soil impoverishment, and declining productivity due to climate change.

The exhibition focuses on the theme of 'Climate and agriculture: for sustainable and resilient production systems'. It features a wide range of technologies, including irrigation systems, tractors, and agricultural equipment. The event also includes innovations such as the REAL space dedicated to robots and drones, as well as demonstrations of technologies for bioenergy and green care.

According to the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Spanish exports to Morocco have reached a record high in 2023, with a value of 12.146 billion euros, 3.3% more than in 2022. The exhibition is seen as an opportunity to further strengthen trade ties between the two countries.

The event emphasized the importance of partnerships and aligning training systems to support the evolution of research, as well as exploring south-south collaboration opportunities. Recommendations were made to promote sustainable and eco-friendly agricultural practices, establish long-term financing for the national agricultural research system, and update the legal framework to consider digital tools.

"The International Agricultural Exhibition in Morocco is one of the most esteemed exhibitions in North Africa," stated Luis Planas, the Spanish Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. The exhibition is eagerly awaited by Moroccan farmers and technicians, with the number of Moroccan visitors more than doubling from 194 in 2016 to 424 in 2022. The event showcases Morocco's achievements in various domains, which have been described as surpassing expectations by the government head.

Key Takeaways

• SIAM, Morocco's agricultural exhibition, is a major event in North Africa.
• Spain is the guest of honor, showcasing its agricultural innovations and technologies.
• The exhibition focuses on climate-smart and sustainable agriculture solutions.
• Spanish exports to Morocco reached a record high in 2023, strengthening trade ties.
• The event promotes partnerships, training, and south-south collaboration in agriculture.