Celebrating Excellence in Moroccan Agricultural Products
The seventh edition of the Moroccan Agricultural Products Competition took place this Saturday at the International Agricultural Show in Meknes, celebrating the exceptional quality and diversity of Moroccan artisanal products. Organized by the Agricultural Development Agency, this event continues to receive robust support from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, aimed at enhancing the value of local products and supporting producer groups.
During the awards ceremony, a remarkable total of 455 medals were distributed, which included 134 gold, 141 silver, and 180 bronze medals. This formal event was presided over by Ahmed Bouari, the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development, Water, and Forests, alongside officials from the Agricultural Development Agency. A special award for innovation was presented to the "Amine" cooperative from the Marrakesh-Safi region for its unique product, organic saffron-infused argan oil.
This initiative not only recognizes the efforts of producer groups but also highlights their expertise to the general public through awards that emphasize the quality and authenticity of their products. During the event, Hajiba Chakil, Director of Local Product Marketing Development at the Agricultural Development Agency, announced that this edition featured participation from 1,375 products sourced from various regions of Morocco.
Highlighting the Best of Moroccan Produce
Following deliberations by the judging panel, seven excellence awards were granted, showcasing the richness of Morocco's agricultural heritage. Notable winners included argan oil from the "Boukhdo Akramoud" cooperative and olive oil from the "Ageraswak" cooperative, both hailing from the Marrakesh-Safi region. Other awardees included thyme honey from the "Agdez" cooperative, gouda cheese from the "Alfa" cooperative, apple vinegar infused with herbs from the "Diyati" cooperative, Medjool dates from the economic interest group "Ziz River," and six-grain couscous from the "Tiadirte" cooperative from the Fez-Meknes region.
Launched in 2014 by the Ministry of Agriculture, this competition has evolved into a vital mechanism for enhancing local products, contributing to the competitiveness of producers, supporting cooperatives, and promoting offerings that meet national and international market demands.
In interviews with Hespress, award-winning exhibitors expressed that this recognition is not merely about winning awards but serves as a motivation to continue innovating and valuing Morocco's agricultural heritage. Fatima Zahra Amini, president of the "Amine" cooperative, expressed her pride in receiving the innovation award for saffron-infused argan oil, stating that it inspires her thirty female collaborators in Essaouira to balance tradition and product development.
Mohamed Skourai, president of the "Ageraswak" cooperative, emphasized that winning the quality award for olive oil is a testament to hard work and adherence to legal standards. Fatima Marzouk, from the Fez-Meknes region, regarded receiving a gold medal for her vinegar varieties as a significant honor and recognition of diligent efforts, while Tarik Fathi from the Souss-Massa region expressed pride in their gold medal for "Amlo" and praised the technical support provided by local authorities to ensure quality samples.
Omar Zitouni, president of the "Demnat Forest Products" cooperative, shared the cooperative's ambition to focus on innovating carob as a food and medicinal product, viewing this award as encouragement for enhancing quality and contributing significantly to local development. Finally, Imad Edouma from the "Al-Sahwa" cooperative highlighted their national gold medal for Sidr honey as a motivator to elevate their products to international quality standards.
In conclusion, the gold award for dried figs received by Ahmed Farawi from the "Noor Wazzan" cooperative signifies a collaborative effort with the Ministry of Agriculture, marking a crucial step toward enhancing the social and solidarity economy in the Wazzan region, while also boosting the competitiveness of local products.
As reported by hespress.com.
