Minister of Agriculture Inspects Development Works at the International Agricultural Exhibition Site in Meknes
As part of the ongoing preparations for the 17th edition of the International Agricultural Exhibition in Morocco (SIAM), scheduled to take place from April 21 to 27, 2025, under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, the Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forests, Mr. Ahmed El Bouari, carried out a field visit on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, to the exhibition site in the historic city of Meknes. The visit aimed to closely monitor the progress of development works and organizational measures related to this major international agricultural event.
The Minister was accompanied by the Wali of the Fès-Meknès region, Mr. Moaad Jamai, the Governor of Meknes Prefecture, Mr. Abdelghani Sebbar, the President of the International Agricultural Exhibition Association, Mr. Mohamed Fikrat, the Acting Commissioner of the Exhibition, Mr. Kamal Haidan, along with a distinguished delegation of officials and stakeholders in the sector.
A Strategic Event at the Heart of Agricultural Transformation..
SIAM stands as a benchmark platform that brings together various stakeholders in the agricultural sector from both Morocco and abroad. It serves as an annual occasion to strengthen cooperation, exchange expertise, and shed light on the latest developments in the field, particularly regarding the transition toward sustainable practices that address climate and environmental challenges. During the visit, the Minister highlighted the growing importance of the Exhibition in supporting Moroccan farmers and emphasizing the vital role of the rural world in the sustainable development ecosystem.
For his part, Mr. Mohamed Fikrat, President of the organizing association, stated that since its inception 17 years ago, the Exhibition has firmly established itself as the largest agricultural event in Africa and the Middle East and has gained increasing international recognition among agricultural stakeholders.
France as Guest of Honor and Water Governance at the Core of Discussions…
The 2025 edition carries the meaningful theme: “Agriculture and Rural World: Water at the Heart of Sustainable Development.” This reflects a clear focus on implementing sound governance of water resources, considered a cornerstone for ensuring food security and tackling the effects of climate change. The Exhibition will host in-depth scientific discussions on water management in agriculture, with the participation of leading experts and international institutions.
France will be the Guest of Honor at this edition, symbolizing the strong bilateral ties, particularly in the fields of agriculture, agri-food industries, fisheries, and forestry. This opens new prospects for fruitful cooperation, technology transfer, and partnership building.
Promising Figures and Innovative Organization…
This year’s edition is expected to attract around one million visitors, with the participation of approximately 70 countries and over 1,500 exhibitors. More than 40 scientific conferences will be organized. The 2025 edition will also feature a redesigned layout of the exhibition poles to improve visitor experience and facilitate movement, the creation of new entertainment spaces, the expansion of the local products pavilion to enhance the value of national agricultural products, and the adoption of electronic ticketing to simplify access.
A Future-Oriented Vision
This edition represents a pivotal moment to reinforce the Exhibition’s role as a crossroads for agricultural visions and to support public policies aimed at modernizing the sector and valorizing its natural resources. It also confirms a collective commitment to establishing a renewed rural development model that elevates the status of farmers and strengthens the resilience of the rural world in the face of ongoing challenges.
#adil EL ARABI