First Day of SIAM 2025 Focuses on Sustainable Agriculture and Water Management

Meknes: The activities of the first day of the International Agriculture Show in Morocco (SIAM 2025) kicked off on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, under the central theme “For Sustainable and Resilient Agriculture,” with the day’s events primarily dedicated to discussing water management issues in the agricultural sector.

According to the day’s program sent by the SIAM 2025 press office, the conference hall in Zone A hosted a series of important sessions that attracted government officials and international experts to discuss the challenges and opportunities related to the sustainable use of water resources in agriculture.

Official Opening and High-Level Panel Discussions

The day’s events began with the reception of participants and a coffee break, followed by the official opening ceremony, which saw the participation of:

• The Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development and Water and Forests of the Kingdom of Morocco.
• The Minister of Equipment and Water of the Kingdom of Morocco.
• The Minister Delegate to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs (France).
• The Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forests (Italy).
• The President of the World Water Council.

Following the opening, two main panel discussions were held:

• Panel 1: Under the theme “Water-Agriculture, an alliance to reduce vulnerability to climate change,” featuring presentations by Professor Fatima Driouech (Climate and Climate Change Expert, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University – UM6P), Dr. Li Lifeng (Director of the Land and Water Division – FAO), Mr. Hassan Benabderrazik (Expert Consultant and CEO of Agro Concept), and Dr. Charles Wight (Director of Research and Strategy at Water Witness International). The discussions covered observed climate trends and future scenarios, the resilience of irrigated agriculture in the context of climate change, the importance and socio-economic impacts of Moroccan agriculture, and agricultural water management.
• Panel 2: Under the theme “Climate Resilience and Sustainable Management of Agricultural Water,” including presentations by Mr. Zakariae El Yacoubi (Director of Irrigation and Agricultural Land Development at the Ministry of Agriculture), Mr. Abdelaziz Boughriba (Water Desalination Expert), Mr. Hassan Lamrani (Senior Consultant in Irrigation and Water Resources Management and Co-founder of ThinkWater), and Mr. Abdelaziz Zerouali (Director General of Hydraulics at the Ministry of Equipment and Water). The discussions focused on the challenges of water allocation for agriculture, recent developments and technological innovations in seawater desalination, the realities and prospects of irrigated agriculture in Morocco, and the overall water situation in the country.

Signing of Important Agreements

The first day’s events were marked by the signing of two significant agreements between the Ministers of Agriculture and Equipment and Water:

• A Framework Agreement in the field of Agriculture, Meteorology, and Climate.
• A Framework Agreement for the participatory management contract of the Saïss Aquifer.

An institutional film highlighting the importance of the agricultural sector in Morocco was also screened.

Session Management and Participating Entities

The day’s events were moderated by Ms. Manal Bernoussi, with Mr. Mhamed Belghiti serving as the rapporteur. Several prominent entities and institutions participated in organizing and presenting, including the Ministry of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development and Water and Forests (the main organizer of the show), the Ministry of Equipment and Water (the co-organizer), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Water Witness International, Agro Concept, and ThinkWater.

Source: Press Service of the International Agriculture Show in Morocco SIAM 2025.