Mr. Rifi: Mobilizing Rural Youth Is No Longer a Secondary Option, But a Fundamental Pillar of Any Sustainable Development Policy
Mr. Mehdi Rifi, Director General of the Agricultural Development Agency, affirmed that mobilizing rural youth is no longer a luxury or a secondary option, but has become today a fundamental pillar of any sustainable development policy. He emphasized that this youth, deeply rooted in their environment and full of energy and initiative, embodies a dynamic force of societal renewal that deserves support and guidance.
This statement was made during a press conference held today, Wednesday, April 23, in the imperial capital Meknes, on the sidelines of the International Agricultural Exhibition in Morocco. The event marked the official launch of a call for expressions of interest targeting entrepreneurship in agriculture-related services, under a grant funded by the European Union and the French Development Agency.
Mr. Rifi explained that this step represents a new strategic phase in the implementation of the joint agricultural program, a bold structural initiative aligned with the national agricultural development orientations. It responds to the needs of economic inclusion and the valorization of human capital, amid profound transformations occurring in rural areas due to economic, social, and climate-related changes.
This call for expressions of interest, carried out in partnership between the Ministry of Agriculture, the Agricultural Development Agency, and European entities, aims to identify, support, and accompany structures capable of guiding and supporting youth project holders, and linking them with effective ecosystems that can transform their ideas and individual initiatives into real, structured, and sustainable economic projects. A budget of six million euros has been allocated for this initiative.
He pointed out that these investments aim to achieve three main objectives: the emergence of a strong network of competitive and sustainable rural entrepreneurship; the structuring of an integrated territorial support system that complements existing initiatives—especially the Regional Centers for Agricultural Entrepreneurship (SERGA) and the “ChaabAgri” platform, which has become today an advanced informational reference for supporting youth in the agricultural field and its related services; and the creation of local economic opportunities based on the specific characteristics and endogenous resources of each area.
In this context, Mr. Rifi reaffirmed the Ministry of Agriculture and the Agency’s commitment to playing the role of the primary enabler and supporter of integrated and comprehensive development solutions, in line with the “Green Generation 2020–2030” strategic vision, which places youth at the heart of the agricultural modernization and renewal process and values human capital as the foundation of success.
The Director General of the Agricultural Development Agency also expressed his deep gratitude to the European and French partners for their active and ongoing support, which reflects a shared vision for a vibrant and dynamic rural world based on common values. He considered that this call for expressions of interest represents a valuable opportunity for support structures—whether associations, cooperatives, or professional organizations—to strengthen their role as intermediaries and drivers of economic inclusion and the promotion of local skills.
Mr. Rifi concluded his remarks by calling on all stakeholders—associations, cooperatives, and professionals—to seize this opportunity to enhance their roles as engines of development and promoters of economic inclusion and local talent. He stressed that the future of the rural world lies in its young energies and promising initiatives, which deserve all the support and accompaniment.
It is worth noting that this initiative received strong endorsement from Morocco’s international partners. Ms. Quitterie Bensançon, Director of the French Development Agency in Morocco, considered it a concrete embodiment of the spirit of bilateral cooperation, stating:
“This initiative provides further proof of the depth and quality of the partnership that unites us with Moroccan institutions. The ‘Ihyae’ program reflects a spirit of collaboration based on sharing expertise and building practical solutions to address sustainable development challenges in rural areas.”
For his part, Mr. Jean-Christophe Filori, Head of the Cooperation Section at the European Union Delegation to Morocco, emphasized that this step represents a new milestone in a strategic partnership. He stated:
“The launch of this call reflects the high level of trust and cooperation between the European Union and the Kingdom of Morocco. We are moving forward, hand in hand, to support youth, empower rural entrepreneurship, and accelerate the transition toward more just, greener, and resilient regions capable of facing future challenges.”
This call for expressions of interest, in both its content and objectives, represents more than just a financing procedure—it is a clear political and institutional will to bring about a profound transformation in the structure of the rural economy through investment in people and their ability to innovate and create value, ensuring resource sustainability, fairness in opportunities, and equal chances for all.
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