By Saad Guerraoui – MEKNES, Morocco
Morocco’s King Mohammed VI, accompanied with Gabonese President Ali Bongo Ondimba, inaugurated Wednesday the eighth edition of the International Agricultural Fair in Morocco (SIAM) held in the imperial city of Meknes as the North African country is enjoying an exceptional agricultural year.
More than 900 exhibitors from 40 countries are taking part in the fair, which is held from 24 to 28 April 2013 in Agdal Basin, while over 600,000 visitors are expected to visit it.
This year's main theme is "Agribusiness and Food Security: Better Utilization of Agricultural Potential," as this industry is one of the most important sectors in Morocco’s economy, representing 12% of the country’s GDP.
King Mohammed VI presided on Tuesday the opening ceremony of the sixth agricultural conference during which Morocco’s minister of agriculture and maritime fisheries Aziz Akhannouch detailed the results of the Green Plan 2012 and prospects and future development paths for the Moroccan agriculture.
The aim of the Green Plan is to set out a multisectorial agriculture which seeks to develop and sustain agriculture and agricultural speculations that are of a national interest.
Morocco and Gabon signed four agreements aimed at developing the Moroccan agriculture and enhancing its competitiveness.
Akhannouch said Morocco had enjoyed a very productive agricultural year thanks to consistent rainfalls across the country.
The forecast of cereal harvest, which is subject to weather conditions until April 30, evoke an exceptional campaign of 97 million quintals, of which 52 million quintals of wheat, an absolute record in Morocco.
Arboricultural production is also on the rise, pending the future climate conditions. This year's production is expected to reach 12 million tonnes of fruit (163% higher than the previous year).
Middle East Online
