Morocco’s SIDATTES 2025 Closes with $3.8 Million Record-Breaking Success – Morocco World News

Report on the 14th International Date Fair in Erfoud, Morocco

Executive Summary

The 14th International Date Fair, held in Erfoud, Morocco, concluded on November 2, successfully attracting approximately 95,000 visitors and generating over MAD 38 million ($3.8 million) in commercial transactions. The event, themed “Sustainable Management of Water Resources: Foundation for Date Palm and Oasis Development,” placed significant emphasis on addressing critical environmental challenges and aligning the date palm sector with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The fair served as a platform for promoting sustainable agriculture, fostering economic growth, and building international partnerships.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation & SDG 13: Climate Action

The central theme of the fair directly addressed the pressing issue of water scarcity, a critical component of SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 13 (Climate Action). The event highlighted the vulnerability of Morocco’s oasis ecosystems to water stress and desertification.

• A scientific symposium convened experts from national and international bodies, including the FAO and ICARDA, to explore innovative solutions for adapting oasis systems to climate change.
• Discussions focused on sustainable water management practices essential for the resilience of both date palm cultivation and the broader oasis environment.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure & SDG 15: Life on Land

A major development announced during the fair was the Maktaa Sfa hydro-agricultural project, a significant infrastructure initiative contributing to SDG 9. With a government investment of MAD 85.23 million, the project is designed to achieve multiple sustainability objectives.

1. Water Management: A 260-meter diversion dam and a 14-kilometer transfer canal will channel floodwaters to irrigate 1,194 hectares, directly benefiting 6,770 residents.
2. Ecosystem Preservation: The project aims to preserve vegetation, combat desertification, and replenish groundwater, directly supporting SDG 15 (Life on Land).
3. Community Resilience: By enhancing Lake Merzouga for ecological and tourism purposes, the initiative seeks to strengthen local economies and stem rural exodus, contributing to SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

This project is a cornerstone of Morocco’s “Generation Green 2020-2030” strategy, which prioritizes sustainable agriculture and food sovereignty, aligning with SDG 2 (Zero Hunger).

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth & SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

The fair provided a robust platform for economic development and the promotion of sustainable production methods, in line with SDG 8 and SDG 12.

• Economic Impact: The event facilitated significant commercial activity, with over 220 exhibitors participating in sales and business-to-business meetings.
• Responsible Investment: An investment forum titled “Responsible Investment for Date Palm and Oasis Development” encouraged sustainable financial practices within the sector.
• Sustainable Technologies: The agricultural supplies section showcased innovations in irrigation equipment and renewable energy solutions, promoting resource efficiency.
• Local Value Chains: The “Rahba” pavilion provided a dedicated commercial space for local cooperatives and producers, strengthening their market access and supporting livelihoods, which contributes to SDG 1 (No Poverty).

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The international scope of the fair underscored the importance of global collaboration. With exhibitors from nine countries, including Jordan and Mexico, the event fostered cross-border partnerships and knowledge exchange, a key tenet of SDG 17.

• International producers sought new market opportunities and technological partnerships.
• The presence of delegations facilitated cultural exchange and shared learning on different cultivation techniques and date varieties.
• The event was organized through a multi-stakeholder partnership involving the Ministry of Agriculture, ANDZOA, and the Association of the International Date Fair in Morocco (ASIDMA), demonstrating a collaborative approach to achieving sectoral development goals.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article on Morocco’s 14th International Date Fair addresses several interconnected Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by focusing on agriculture, water management, economic development, and environmental protection. The following SDGs are relevant:

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger: The article discusses date palm cultivation, agricultural development, and food sovereignty, which are central to ensuring food security and promoting sustainable agriculture.
• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation: The central theme of the fair was “Sustainable Management of Water Resources,” directly addressing the challenge of water scarcity in arid regions and highlighting a major hydro-agricultural project.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The fair is presented as a significant economic event, generating sales, fostering investment, and supporting livelihoods in the date industry, which helps promote sustained and inclusive economic growth. The project also aims to “stem rural exodus,” which relates to creating local economic opportunities.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure: The article details a major investment in a “groundbreaking” hydro-agricultural infrastructure project, showcasing innovation in water management to support agriculture and community resilience.
• SDG 15: Life on Land: The discussion on oasis ecosystems as “vital biodiversity reservoirs and natural barriers against desertification” and the project’s goals to “preserve vegetation” and “replenish groundwater” directly connect to protecting terrestrial ecosystems and combating desertification.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The event’s international nature, involving exhibitors from nine countries, a scientific symposium with global organizations like the FAO and ICARDA, and business-to-business meetings, exemplifies the importance of partnerships for achieving sustainable development.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding and other disasters and that progressively improve land and soil quality.
   • Explanation: The article highlights Morocco’s “Generation Green 2020-2030” strategy, which aims for “sustainable, inclusive, and innovative agricultural development to ensure food sovereignty and territorial resilience.” The focus on adapting oasis systems to climate challenges and improving date palm cultivation in arid regions directly supports this target.
2. Target 6.4: By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity.
   • Explanation: The fair’s theme, “Sustainable Management of Water Resources,” and the Maktaa Sfa project, designed to channel floodwaters for irrigation, are direct efforts to improve water-use efficiency in agriculture, a sector heavily impacted by water stress.
3. Target 8.9: By 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products.
   • Explanation: The hydro-agricultural project explicitly aims to “enhance Lake Merzouga’s capacity for ecological and tourism purposes.” Furthermore, the fair itself acts as a platform for promoting regional specialty products and attracts nearly 95,000 visitors, contributing to local tourism and culture.
4. Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure… to support economic development and human well-being.
   • Explanation: The article details the Maktaa Sfa hydro-agricultural project, which includes a “260-meter diversion dam,” a “14-kilometer water transfer canal,” and irrigation network upgrades. This is a clear example of developing sustainable and resilient infrastructure to support agriculture and local communities.
5. Target 15.3: By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world.
   • Explanation: The article emphasizes that oases are “natural barriers against desertification.” The new irrigation project aims to “preserve vegetation” and “replenish groundwater,” which are direct actions to combat desertification and restore the local ecosystem.
6. Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.
   • Explanation: The fair was organized through a partnership between ASIDMA, the Ministry of Agriculture, and ANDZOA. It also facilitated “business-to-business meetings” and hosted an investment forum with Crédit Agricole Group, demonstrating a multi-stakeholder approach to development.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions several quantitative and qualitative indicators that can be used to measure progress:

• Economic Indicators: The fair generated “more than MAD 38 million ($3.8 million) in sales,” attracted “nearly 95,000 visitors,” and hosted “more than 220 exhibitors.” These figures serve as direct indicators of economic activity and the success of promoting local products (relevant to SDG 8).
• Infrastructure Investment Indicators: The government’s investment of “MAD 85.23 million ($9 million)” in the Maktaa Sfa project is a financial indicator for infrastructure development (relevant to SDG 9).
• Agricultural and Water Management Indicators: The project will directly benefit “6,770 residents” and irrigate “1,194 hectares.” These numbers are key performance indicators for measuring the impact of water management and agricultural support initiatives (relevant to SDG 2 and SDG 6).
• Environmental Indicators: The stated goals of the project to “preserve vegetation,” “replenish groundwater,” and enhance Lake Merzouga’s ecological capacity are qualitative indicators for progress in combating desertification and protecting biodiversity (relevant to SDG 15).
• Partnership Indicators: The participation of “nine countries” and international organizations like the “UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)” and the “International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA)” are indicators of the scale and effectiveness of international cooperation (relevant to SDG 17).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: moroccoworldnews.com