The International Agricultural Fair in Morocco Places Water, Agriculture, and the Rural World at the Heart of Sustainable Development
As the 17th edition of the International Agricultural Fair in Morocco approaches—set to take place in the imperial city of Meknes from April 21 to 27—stakeholders in agriculture, both within Morocco and abroad, are turning their attention to one of the continent’s and the world’s most important events shaping the future of modern agriculture and debating its challenges in a time of climate and environmental change.
While this fair has become an annual institutional tradition that reaffirms Morocco’s leadership in the agricultural sector, this year’s edition is held under a deeply significant theme: “Agriculture and the Rural World: Water at the Heart of Sustainable Development.” This slogan not only encapsulates the focus of the event but also highlights the top priority and the most pressing issue troubling planners, researchers, and farmers alike: water—the lifeblood of existence—has today become the greatest challenge in the struggle for survival and progress.
In the wake of successive years of drought, a sharp decline in rainfall, and growing water demand driven by urban and agricultural expansion, the discourse around water scarcity is no longer theoretical or futuristic—it is now an urgent and inescapable reality confronting decision-makers and field practitioners. Hence, the importance of this year’s theme, reflecting a shift in both official and societal awareness—from treating water as a mere natural resource to recognizing it as a strategic component of food security and a vital pillar of balanced development in rural areas.
The organization of this major international fair under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, once again affirms the King’s far-sighted vision, which has made water, agriculture, and the environment a national priority. This vision is clearly reflected in major policies and strategies—from the “Green Morocco Plan” to the “Green Generation 2020-2030” initiative—and in ambitious projects aimed at rehabilitating water infrastructure, generalizing localized irrigation systems, desalinating water, reclaiming wastewater, and shifting toward renewable energy for water pumping.
Yet the battle for water cannot be fought by the state alone. It is an open field for all stakeholders: researchers, investors, farmers, engineers, and citizens. That’s why this fair is more than just a platform for showcasing and promoting agricultural products. It is a collective laboratory for idea generation, a dynamic space for the cross-pollination of experiences, and a stage for displaying innovations in smart irrigation, precision agriculture, and environmental engineering.
France’s designation as Guest of Honor for this edition is not only symbolic of the deep Moroccan-French ties, but it also boosts bilateral cooperation in crucial sectors such as agricultural technology, water resource management, and the development of the food industry. These are areas Moroccan agriculture urgently needs to strengthen productivity with fewer resources and ensure sustainable food production that respects the environment and safeguards future generations’ right to water and food.
Spread across 12.4 hectares, with the participation of 1,500 exhibitors from 70 countries and over 1.1 million expected visitors, this year’s Meknes Fair will mark a new turning point—not only in the history of the exhibition but also in the trajectory of Moroccan agriculture. The presence of thematic clusters such as “Digital Agriculture,” “Agri-food Industries,” “Environment,” and “Local Products” will provide an opportunity to deepen the integration of innovation and identity, tradition and modernization, in service of an agriculture capable of facing climate fluctuations without compromising food security foundations.
Agriculture in the 21st century cannot survive with outdated mentalities, just as the rural world cannot achieve its breakthrough without water justice. Herein lies the essential question: How can we transform the water challenge into an opportunity? And how can we protect our agriculture and rural lands from the risks of soil desertification and water vulnerability?
The challenges facing the agricultural sector today demand a long-term strategic vision, one that balances agricultural production with the sustainability of natural resources. Morocco, which has successfully developed a competitive agricultural sector over the past decades, is now called upon to solidify its status as a regional agricultural power through more comprehensive strategies that integrate technology, scientific research, and investment in water infrastructure. The International Agricultural Fair in Meknes stands as a pivotal moment on this path, offering a platform to provide concrete answers to major questions facing Moroccan agriculture—how to achieve sustainable food sovereignty in the face of water scarcity, best practices for effective water resource management in rural areas, and ways to encourage farmers to adopt smart and sustainable farming techniques.
Today, we stand at a crossroads: we either continue with outdated water-intensive farming methods and pay the environmental and social price, or we boldly shift to a smart, integrated, and resilient agricultural model that places water at the heart of all planning.
And in Meknes—the beating heart of Moroccan agriculture—this critical dialogue will unfold. From the corridors of the fair, questions and answers, projects and visions will emerge, laying the foundation for a safer future and an agriculture that yields food without exhausting life.
Water, ladies and gentlemen, is no longer just a resource—it has become a matter of national sovereignty and existential survival.
#adil EL ARABI