Celebrating Young Entrepreneurship in Agriculture
The 18th edition of the International Agriculture Exhibition in Meknes marked a significant milestone with the conclusion of the "Tamkin for Development" project, which was hosted by the Euro-Mediterranean University of Fes (UEMF) and supported by the French Development Agency (AFD). This initiative, part of the "Tech4Farmers" program, successfully empowered and accompanied 33 young entrepreneurs and project holders through over 60 hours of training workshops and more than 6,000 hours of personalized coaching, supported by a broad network of experts. The total funding for this project amounted to 2.7 million Moroccan dirhams.
The closing ceremony provided a platform to showcase the project’s achievements over the past four years and to highlight the success stories of the beneficiary startups. The event also served to project the future of the initiative, which has successfully attracted the attention of numerous new partners, including the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forests.
Impact and Future Prospects
During the event, the entrepreneurs expressed their pride in the tangible results achieved, which have opened up wide avenues for their businesses. They reported securing over 14 commercial contracts and launching approximately 65 model projects, generating a revenue exceeding 11 million dirhams. The Euro-Mediterranean University of Fes participated in this year's exhibition with a dedicated booth showcasing the accomplishments of the regional innovation and entrepreneurship cluster (PRIE) in the Fes-Meknes region, along with the "Tech4Farmers" program.
Mustapha Bousmina, the President of the Euro-Mediterranean University of Fes, emphasized that the primary objective of this project is to support young individuals who have established or are in the process of starting their own companies, providing them with both technical and financial guidance. He noted that the involvement of the French Development Agency has been crucial in this regard. He further explained that the project aims to enable farmers to adapt to technology and adopt techniques that will positively impact productivity and professional efficiency, laying the groundwork for the development of innovative products.
Katherine Bounaud, Director of the French Development Agency in Morocco, praised the project's impact, highlighting its role in discovering and attracting young talent while assisting them in establishing their ventures. She remarked that collaboration with the Euro-Mediterranean University has facilitated partnerships among Moroccan stakeholders, bringing together students, researchers, entrepreneurs, and farmers to foster new dynamics that blend innovation with regional development needs. Bounaud reiterated the agency’s commitment to supporting a multi-stakeholder agricultural system that promotes resilient and innovative farming practices, sharing expertise beyond borders.
This project not only addresses local agricultural challenges but also serves as an inspiration for innovative approaches that can transcend Moroccan boundaries, especially as Moroccan farmers face climate challenges that could soon affect the Mediterranean basin as a whole.
As reported by hespress.com.
