Seventh Edition of the Moroccan Agricultural Products Competition Honors Winners
In its seventh edition, the Moroccan Agricultural Products Competition has once again showcased the richness and diversity of Moroccan local products. The awards ceremony took place today at the International Agricultural Fair in Meknes, organized by the Agricultural Development Agency, which continues to support producer groups and enhance the value of their products under the auspices of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forests.
The event was marked by an impressive distribution of awards, as reported by Hespress, with a total of 455 medals awarded, including 134 gold, 141 silver, and 180 bronze. The ceremony was presided over by Ahmed Bouari, the Minister of Agriculture, alongside officials from the Agricultural Development Agency.
A special innovation award was presented to the "Amine" cooperative from the Marrakech-Safi region for their unique product, organic saffron-infused argan oil, recognizing their innovative approach to traditional production methods.
This initiative not only acknowledges the efforts of local product producers but also shines a spotlight on their expertise, underscoring the importance of quality and authenticity in their offerings. According to Mahjoub Chkil, the Director of Local Product Marketing Development at the Agricultural Development Agency, this edition saw participation from 1,375 products across various regions of the kingdom.
After thorough deliberations by the judging panel, seven excellence awards were granted, which included argan oil from the "Boukhdo Akramod" cooperative, olive oil from the "Agereswaq" cooperative, thyme honey from the "Agdez" cooperative, Gouda cheese from the "Alif" cooperative, apple vinegar with thyme from the "Diyati" cooperative, Medjool dates from the economic interest group "Ziz Banks," and six-grain couscous from the "Tiadirte" cooperative. These accolades reflect the rich agricultural heritage of the nation.
Voices of the Winners
In various statements to Hespress, the award-winning exhibitors expressed that this recognition is not merely about winning awards but serves as a catalyst for continued innovation and enhancing the national agricultural heritage. Fatima Zahra Amini, the president of the "Amine" cooperative, expressed her pride in receiving the innovation award for their saffron-infused argan oil. She remarked that this accolade represents a significant boost for the thirty female cooperators in the Essaouira region, encouraging them to balance tradition with product development, and she extended her gratitude to the Ministry of Agriculture and the Agricultural Development Agency for their ongoing support.
Mohammed Skourai, the president of the "Agereswaq" cooperative from the Al Haouz region, emphasized that winning the quality award for olive oil is the result of diligent work and a firm commitment to legal standards. Fatima Marzouq, another cooperative leader from the Fes-Meknes region, described winning the gold medal in various vinegar categories (apple, cherry, and peach) as a great honor and a testament to hard work. She highlighted that these awards hold immense moral value for producers, energizing them to strive for excellence consistently, embodying the saying "every diligent worker deserves a share" in their journey of product development in the Imouzzer Kandar region.
Looking forward, Omar Zaitouni, the president of the "Demnate Forest Products" cooperative, shared their ambition to focus on innovating in the valorization of carob as a product that combines nutritional and medicinal properties. He noted that this recognition encourages the cooperative to elevate their quality standards and actively contribute to local development, considering carob as a promising future product that requires further research and development.
As the competition progresses, it continues to be a vital mechanism for enhancing local products, fostering competitiveness among producers, supporting cooperatives, and promoting offerings that can meet both national and international market demands.
As reported by hespress.com.
