This is thyme honey from the Tazdouit agricultural cooperative in the Souss-Massa region, Argane oil from the Vitargan economic interest group (GIE) in Marrakech-Safi, olive oil from the company Oléa Capital of Fez-Meknes, the Tichtar du dromedaire of the Tidguit Nagua Cooperative of Dakhla-Oued Eddahab, dates Boufeggous from the GIE Mezguita Agdz in Drâa-Tafilalet, green olives from the Zahrat El Zaitouna cooperative in Fez-Meknes and herbal couscous from the Attakadoum cooperative in Fez-Meknes.
Awarded during this ceremony organized under the theme “Celebrate the terroir, Savor authenticity” at the initiative of the Agency for Agricultural Development (ADA) on the sidelines of the 16th International Agricultural Show in Morocco (SIAM), These products are part of the 1,214 products that were put into competition, representing all regions of the Kingdom.
As for the medals, 416 medals were awarded, including 88 gold medals, 90 silver medals and 238 bronze medals. Also, this edition of the competition saw the awarding of an innovation prize for the Tapenade of capers and green olives from the El Khadra Agricultural cooperative of Marrakech-Safi.
In a speech on this occasion, Mr. Sadiki congratulated the winning cooperatives and GIEs, praising the efforts they undertake to promote Moroccan products and their quality.
“This meeting is dedicated to the producers and farmers who gather at this market. It is also intended to be a training space for the benefit of cooperatives, particularly those participating in the Show for the first time,” he said.
For his part, the Director General of the ADA, El Mahdi Arrifi, indicated that this edition was marked by exceptional participation at the level of the 12 regions of the Kingdom, noting that this opportunity allows cooperatives to be encouraged to produce more. , innovation and quality improvement.
It will also improve the income and living conditions of cooperatives, which will contribute to the emergence of an agricultural middle class, being one of the foundations of the “Green Generation” strategy, he added. .
A real lever for growth in the rural world, a source of wealth creation and income for small producers, particularly women and young people, local products have benefited from special attention since the advent of the Green Morocco Plan (PMV ) and within the framework of the “Green Generation” and this, through the implementation of an adapted national development strategy translated by actions undertaken to develop the sector from upstream to downstream.
This awards ceremony demonstrates the importance given by the Department of Agriculture to the local products sector. It also crowns the remarkable efforts made by producers of local products, particularly agricultural cooperatives, by promoting them in the eyes of the general public through distinctive prices.
Initiated in 2014 by the Ministry of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development and Water and Forests, the Moroccan competition for local products, which is managed by the ADA, mainly aims to boost and promote progress registered in the sector.
It also makes it possible to strengthen competitiveness, preserve authenticity and know-how, ensure a stable income and guarantee an offer that meets the requirements of an increasingly evolving market.