Celebrating Agricultural Innovation and Sustainability
On Monday, Prince Moulay Rachid presided over the opening ceremony of the 18th International Agricultural Forum in Morocco, held at the historic site of Mechouar Sidi Slimane in Meknes. This event, organized under the esteemed patronage of King Mohammed VI, runs from April 20 to April 28, 2026, and carries the theme "Sustainability in Livestock Production and Food Sovereignty." The forum seeks to address contemporary challenges related to sustainable development, climate change, and food security, underscoring the kingdom's commitment to enhancing its agricultural sector.
Upon his arrival, Prince Moulay Rachid was greeted with a ceremonial salute from a contingent of auxiliary forces. He was then welcomed by several dignitaries, including Princess Sara bint Bandar bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Executive Director of the International Date Palm Council, and the Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, Water, and Forests. Other notable attendees included the Governor of the Fes-Meknes region, the President of the Fes-Meknes Regional Council, and various representatives from agricultural cooperatives and organizations.
Highlighting Agricultural Achievements and International Cooperation
During the initial proceedings of the forum, Prince Moulay Rachid presented certificates recognizing geographical indications and quality marks to various cooperative leaders. He awarded the geographical indication "Louz Ghassate" to Mohamed Bouskous, head of the "Okrour" cooperative in the Drâa-Tafilalet region, and the designation "Cumin from Alnif" to Mohand Ahmadi of the "Alnif Tafrout Al-Maider" economic interest group.
The Prince also recognized other cooperatives, including the "Hidash Agricultural Cooperative" in the Béni Mellal-Khénifra region and the "Castle of Seraghna Olive Products Association," highlighting the importance of quality in agricultural production. The event featured participation from around 70 countries, with Portugal honored as the guest of honor, reflecting the strong bilateral relations between the two nations.
As the forum progresses, it aims to shed light on the advancements in livestock production, emphasizing health and animal care, food safety, along with the economic and technical performance in livestock farming. Hosting over 1,500 exhibitors and 200 livestock breeders, the forum anticipates over 1.1 million visitors, reaffirming its status as a pivotal global agricultural hub. The International Agricultural Forum in Morocco continues to foster economic development and enhance Morocco's agricultural identity in alignment with royal vision, promoting sustainable and competitive agriculture on both regional and global stages.
As reported by hespress.com.
