The Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forests, Mr. Mohamed Sadiki, launched development projects on Saturday in Meknès as part of the “Generation Green” strategy with a total amount of over 51 million dirhams (MDH).
In the territorial commune of Ain Jemâa, under the prefecture of Meknès, the minister was informed about the progress of the implementation of the Provincial Agricultural Plan of the Generation Green strategy in the Meknès prefecture.
On this occasion, the minister, accompanied by the governor of the Meknès prefecture, the president of the Regional Agricultural Chamber of Fès-Meknès, professionals, and elected officials, launched the construction of an olive crushing unit as part of the development project for olive growing benefiting small farmers.
With a total amount of 23 MDH financed by the Islamic Development Bank (IDB), this project covers an area of 2,120 m².
It will improve the quality of olive oil production and reduce prices, enhance and intensify local olive oil production, increase the individual income of more than 160 beneficiary farmers, in addition to creating direct and indirect job opportunities for young people and women in the region.
At the Meknès Qualipole food hub, Mr. Sadiki inaugurated the food technology hall. This project covers a total area of 7,200 m², of which 765 m² is built, with an investment amount of 28.20 MDH. The equipment program for the technology hall includes a unit for fruits and vegetables, a meat products unit, and a cereal unit.
The food technology hall is an industrial building aimed at supporting innovation and the transfer of knowledge and techniques through research, innovation, and training in its technical and technological aspects.
This project aims to develop products for agri-food companies, particularly incubated start-ups. It also supports innovations in the agri-food industry, which should enhance the competitiveness of companies in this sector at the national, African, and international levels in general.
In a statement to the press, Mr. Sadiki indicated that this field visit to Meknès is part of the follow-up to the implementation of the projects of the “Generation Green” strategy, which aims to “emerge a new middle class and adopt sustainable agriculture.”
Regarding the construction of an olive crushing unit, the minister emphasized that this project will have “a positive impact on a region that is very important” by increasing the value of the product and complying with health standards while facilitating its marketing.
This unit, which will cover the entire production chain up to packaging and marketing, particularly targets small farmers and is part of solidarity agriculture, he said.
Regarding the food technology hall, Mr. Sadiki highlighted that this unit plays a “particularly important” role in managing production chains and increasing the added value of the national product.
“This hub will be open to professionals to innovate new products,” he noted, specifying that it is a pioneering program at the national level.
Mr. Sadiki also distributed four precision seeders to benefit market gardening cooperatives in the Fès-Meknès region. These cooperatives will receive training on the operation of the seeders.