Moroccan Traditional Products: 7 excellence awards and 416 medals awarded

In a grand celebration held under the auspices of the Ministry of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forests, the Agricultural Development Agency (ADA) hosted the prestigious award ceremony for the 6th edition of the Moroccan Terroir Products Competition. The event took place on April 25th, 2024, alongside the International Agriculture Fair (SIAM 2024) in Meknes.

Presided over by the Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forests, this ceremony underscores the department's unwavering commitment to the terroir products sector. It serves as a resounding celebration of the remarkable efforts undertaken by producers of terroir products, particularly agricultural cooperatives, by showcasing their exceptional offerings to the general public through distinctive awards.

Out of the 1,214 products competing from all regions of the Kingdom, seven prestigious Excellence Awards were bestowed upon the following exceptional offerings: Thyme Honey from the Tazdouit Agricultural Cooperative in the Souss-Massa Region, Argan Oil from the GIE Vitargan in the Marrakech-Safi Region, Olive Oil from the Oléa Capital Company in the Fez-Meknes Region, Dromedary Tichtar from the Tidguit Nagua Cooperative in the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab Region, Boufeggous Dates from the GIE Mezguita Agdz in the Drâa-Tafilalet Region, and Herb Couscous from the Attakadoum Cooperative in the Fez-Meknes Region.

Additionally, a remarkable 416 medals were awarded, comprising 88 gold medals, 90 silver medals, and 238 bronze medals. Notably, this edition also witnessed the introduction of an Innovation Award, which was presented to the Tapenade of Capers and Green Olives from the El Khadra Agricultural Cooperative in the Marrakech-Safi Region.

Serving as a true catalyst for growth in rural areas and a source of wealth creation and income for small producers, particularly women and youth, terroir products have garnered special attention since the advent of the Green Morocco Plan and the Generation Green initiative. This attention has been achieved through the implementation of a tailored national development strategy, which has translated into a comprehensive set of actions aimed at propelling the sector forward, from upstream to downstream.

It is worth noting that the Moroccan Terroir Products Competition was initiated in 2014 by the Ministry of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forests. Spearheaded by the ADA, this prestigious event primarily aims to invigorate and valorize the remarkable progress achieved in the sector, while simultaneously reinforcing competitiveness, preserving authenticity and know-how, ensuring stable income, and guaranteeing an offer that meets the evolving demands of an increasingly sophisticated market.