This year's exhibition draws its importance not only from the fact that the sector is fundamental for the Moroccan economy, but also from the current exceptional agricultural season and the launching of the strategic plan “Green Morocco”.

Launched in 2008, this plan aims at carrying out from 1,000 to 1,500 agricultural projects a year, investing some MAD 10 billion.

Expected to bring together some 750,000 visitors, SIAM has received over 600 exhibitors from 20 countries. Based on a thematic exhibition –different sections with different themes-, it will also see the organisation of roundtables, conferences and demonstrations.

The event is designed to be a meeting place for the professionals of the sector, in order to exchange and share ideas about the progresses made in terms of techniques and technology.

During a symposium held Tuesday on the occasion of this international exhibition, the Moroccan government signed nine agreements and programme contracts, as part of the Green Morocco plan.

These agreements mainly concern the development of some agricultural products and the financing of some projects, mainly by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the French Development Agency (AFD), the Attijari Wafabank and the Group Banque populaire (GBP).

Although highly sensitive to weather conditions, Agriculture is a key element for the Moroccan economy. Depending on the year, it contributes from 16 to 20% of the GDP and employs 80% of the rural population and 50% of the active population.

The country has a usable agricultural area (UAA) of about 8,700,000 ha, 3 times the surface area of a country like Belgium.

Morocco mainly produces cereals (wheat, barley and corn), sugar beet, citrus fruit (oranges, Clementine, etc), grapes, vegetables, tomatoes, olives and livestock.