Celebrating Excellence in Moroccan Agricultural Products
The seventh edition of the "Moroccan Competition for Local Products" took place on Saturday at the International Agricultural Fair in Meknes, highlighting the remarkable diversity and quality of Moroccan agricultural products. Organized by the Agricultural Development Agency, this event is part of the ongoing support provided by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to producer groups, aimed at enhancing and promoting their products.
This year, the awards ceremony was significant, with a total of 455 medals distributed, including 134 gold, 141 silver, and 180 bronze medals, as reported by local media. The 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 innovation award was presented to the "Amine" cooperative for its "Argan Oil with Organic Saffron," recognizing its innovative approach to product development. This initiative not only acknowledges the efforts of local product groups but also highlights their expertise to the public through awards that reinforce the quality and authenticity of their offerings.
During the event, Hajiba Shakil, Director of Local Product Marketing Development at the Agricultural Development Agency, announced that 1,375 products were presented from various regions of the country. Following thorough deliberation by the judging panel, seven excellence awards were granted, which included argan oil from the "Bokhdo Akramoud" cooperative, olive oil from the "Ageriswak" cooperative, thyme honey from the "Agdz" cooperative, cheese from the "Alfah" cooperative, apple cider vinegar from the "Diyati" cooperative, Medjool dates from the "Ziz Bank" economic interest group, and six-grain couscous from the "Tiadirte" cooperative, showcasing the richness of the national agricultural heritage.
Voices of the Winners
In conversations with local media, the awarded producers expressed that this recognition goes beyond mere accolades; it serves as a motivation to continue innovating and valuing the national agricultural heritage. Fatima Zahra Amini, head of the "Amine" cooperative, expressed pride in receiving the innovation award for their "Argan Oil with Saffron," stating that this honor represents a significant boost for the thirty women involved in the cooperative, allowing them to balance tradition with product development. She extended her gratitude to the Ministry of Agriculture and the Agricultural Development Agency for their unwavering support.
Mohamed Skorai, head of the "Ageriswak" cooperative, emphasized that winning the quality award for olive oil is a testament to their hard work and strict adherence to legal standards. Furthermore, Fatima Marzouq, president of a cooperative from the Fes-Meknes region, highlighted that winning the gold medal for vinegar (apple, cherry, and peach varieties) is a significant honor and recognition of their diligence. She noted that these awards provide immense moral value for producers, fueling their drive for continuous improvement and innovation within the "Imouzzer Kandar" region.
Tarik Fatehi, manager of a cooperative in the Souss-Massa region, expressed pride in their product "Amlou" winning a gold medal, praising the precise technical support provided by local supervisors to ensure sample quality. He reaffirmed that this achievement fuels their ambition to enhance product development further in the future, aiming to meet consumer expectations. In a forward-looking statement, Omar Zitouni, head of the "Demnat Forest Products" cooperative, shared their ambition to focus on innovating the value of "carob" as a product that combines nutritional and medicinal properties, stressing that this recognition motivates them to enhance quality and contribute effectively to local development.
In the honey category, Imad Idouma, representative of the "Al-Sahwa" cooperative from Moulay Yaqub, shared that receiving a national gold medal for "Sidr Honey" serves as motivation to elevate their products to international quality standards. He elaborated that their cooperative's activities extend beyond beekeeping to include meat processing and the production of "Khalia" and "Samn," acknowledging the continuous support from the Ministry of Agriculture and regional directorates in their professional journey. Lastly, Ahmed Farawi, representative of the "Noor Wazan" cooperative, concluded that the gold medal for "Dried Figs" is a result of collaborative efforts with the Ministry of Agriculture, expressing gratitude for the ongoing support, viewing this success as a crucial step towards advancing the social and solidarity economy in the Wazan region and enhancing the competitiveness of local products.
As reported by hespress.com.
