The harvest was good at the Agriculture Assises, for which His Majesty King Mohammed VI presided over the opening ceremony of the sixth edition yesterday at Sahrij Souani, in Meknes, in the presence of the Gabonese President, Ali Bongo Ondimba. Four conventions and memoranda of understanding were signed between the public authorities of the agricultural sector and professionals. These are two partnership conventions respectively for the promotion of solar pumping in water-saving irrigation projects, and the implementation of the SAMAD initiative.

As for the partnership convention relating to the promotion of solar pumping in water-saving irrigation projects, it was signed by the government, the National Agency for the Development of Renewable Energies and Energy Efficiency (ANDEREE), and the Crédit Agricole du Maroc.

Regarding the partnership for the implementation of the SAMAD initiative, which aims to boost the national fertiliser market, covering an initial duration of 3 years, it was concluded between the Ministry of Agriculture and Maritime Fisheries and the Office Chérifien des Phosphates (OCP). As a reminder, this initiative was announced by the supervising minister on the day of the launch of the agricultural campaign in Meknes last October.

In addition to these two conventions, two programme contracts were also signed.

Regarding the one relating to the revival of the oilseed crop sector, it was initialled by the government and the profession represented by the president of the Interprofessional Federation of Oilseeds (FOLEA).

Concerning the second programme contract relating to the upgrading of the sugar sector, it covers the 2013-2020 period. The said contract was concluded between the government and the profession represented, respectively, by the president of the Moroccan Interprofessional Sugar Federation (FIMASUCRE), the Chairman and CEO of the COSUMAR group, and the president of the National Union of Associations of Sugar Plant Producers of Morocco.