Heba Press – Oujda
Wednesday October 30, 2024, the activities of the International Date Forum in Morocco were launched in the city of Erfoud in its thirteenth edition under the slogan “Moroccan oases for systems capable of resilience to climate change” with the distinguished participation of. the Eastern region, which testifies to the total and permanent involvement of the region in the development of… This channel.
The oasis areas of the Figuig region extend over an area of 7,000 hectares and include the oases of Figuig, Abbou Lakhal, Ain Shair, Ain Chaouter and Bouanan.
Participation in this international exhibition is also an opportunity to present the objectives and achievements of the regional agricultural plan of the Green Generation Strategy, in addition to the various programs and projects carried out and planned in order to ensure the sustainability of the palm sector, and an opportunity to bring together the main players in the sector and to highlight the social and economic importance of dates in the region, as the eastern side gallery, located in the institutional hub, presents the most important types of dates that abound in the oases of Figig and other local products.
During the period between 2020 and 2024, and as part of the continued development of the palm sector for the Green Generation Strategy, the hydro-agricultural network in the Figig region was strengthened, by connecting the Rikaa dam to the canal water intake of the Sisif dam in the Figig oasis in order to provide additional water resources for a total investment estimated at 250 million dirhams, because this project made it possible to improve the water supply of approximately 8 million cubic meters per year. On the other hand, work has been carried out to improve the efficiency of the irrigation network in the old oases with an investment estimated at 30 million dirhams during the period between 2020 and 2024, and the irrigation conversion program local area was continued, since 5,400 hectares were converted to the drip irrigation system, or 98% of the targeted area by 2030, because the continuation of the program to rationalize the use of water resources made it possible to save more than 12 million cubic meters per year.
The area planted with palm trees is approximately 2,627 hectares, with an expected production which could reach 8,000 tonnes. The chain also generates an estimated turnover of 398 million and contributes to creating 96,000 working days per year.
In terms of recovery, the Figig region has 4 recovery units with an estimated capacity of 2,800 tonnes, which represents 53% of the 2030 objective.
In order to revitalize the marketing of dates, the Regional Directorate of Agriculture is acquiring equipment and technical supplies for packaging and packaging for the benefit of cooperatives and economically beneficiary groups. It also provides all forms of support and technical and logistical support to cooperatives to participate. local, regional, national and international exhibitions.
This event was also characterized by the active participation of 18 professional organizations, including 15 concerned with the production and valorization of dates, and 3 other cooperatives specializing in distinctive regional products from the country of Figig.
