Regional Olive Salon and Agricultural Institute Inaugurated in Guercif
Regional Olive Fair: A Step Towards Agricultural Advancement in Guercif
On Saturday, Ahmed El Bouari, the Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fishing, Rural Development, and Water and Forests, undertook an official visit to the province of Guercif, where he inaugurated the Regional Olive Fair and the Technical Agricultural Institute of Taddart.
Accompanied by Mhamed Atfaoui, the wali of the Oriental region, Guercif Governor Abdeslam El Hattach, and various institutional and industry leaders, the minister officially launched the 5th edition of the Regional Olive Fair. Running until November 20, under the theme "The Olive Tree: Territorial Identity, Better Utilization, and Sustainable Water Management," the event showcases over 77 agricultural cooperatives, institutional hubs, and specialized companies across an area of 3,000 square meters.
The olive sector represents a major pillar of regional agriculture, covering 151,000 hectares in the Oriental region and generating over 5.65 million workdays annually, amounting to a revenue of 2.36 billion dirhams. The Fair serves as a strategic platform for promoting olive products, encouraging good agricultural practices, and strengthening cooperative networks.
In line with this, the minister also inaugurated the Technical Agricultural Institute of Taddart, a modern establishment spanning 5 hectares and involving an investment of 31 million dirhams. The institute features an administrative block, an educational center, a boarding facility with 120 beds, practical workshops, and a three-hectare agricultural farm.
Agricultural training in the Oriental aims to produce 10,000 graduates by 2030, in order to adapt to sector transformations, enhance the professional skills of rural youth, and meet the growing demand for skilled labor.
Regional Agriculture Director Mohamed Yacoubi highlighted that the development of the olive sector in Guercif stems from sustained efforts aimed at expanding cultivated areas and increasing regional production, projected to exceed 315,000 tons, representing 17% of national production. The region is home to 375 olive oil processing units, 14% of which utilize modern technologies, with an annual processing capacity exceeding 100,000 tons.
This edition of the Fair also presents an opportunity to launch study days and scientific meetings that will bring together experts and professionals to discuss technical innovations and the challenges facing the sector, particularly the impacts of climate change.
Regarding the Technical Agricultural Institute of Taddart, Mr. Yacoubi emphasized its modern facilities, social mission, and digital tools that facilitate hybrid learning. The institute will play a crucial role in enhancing the skills of young people, contributing to the modernization of the agricultural sector in the region.
The minister’s visit is part of the efforts to accelerate the implementation of the Green Generation 2020-2030 strategy, which aims to strengthen an agricultural middle class, support young rural entrepreneurs, promote local products, and develop competitive and resilient agricultural sectors.
