Speeches and Messages of H.M The King

Here follows the full text of the message, read out by the monarch's advisor, Mohamed Moatassim:

"Praise be to God"
May peace and blessings be upon the Prophet, His Kith and Kin

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It gives me great pleasure to address this message to the second symposium on agriculture and to reiterate, thereby, the special importance I attach to the development of a sector which constitutes one of the pillars of the comprehensive, sustainable development we wish to achieve in our country.

I have therefore sought to upgrade and modernize our farming sector by launching “Morocco's Green Plan”. It is based on a precise, integrated strategy, like all the major structural reforms needed for our country's advancement.

The Plan relies on good governance and on the required, uninterrupted follow-up and monitoring mechanisms, which I have been advocating in all government policies.

I want this gathering to serve as an annual opportunity to take stock of achievements, make an objective diagnosis of impediments and provide the necessary inducements and incentives to accomplish more and to muster all our energies in order to achieve our goals.

The current juncture in which this symposium is being held is cause for both satisfaction and pride.

Satisfaction because, by the grace of the Almighty, this year has been marked by plentiful rainfall, which makes the Plan deserve its epithet. God willing, we expect a record harvest which will contribute to increasing our gross domestic product and enhance our ability to overcome the negative repercussions of the global economic crisis.

As for the feeling of pride, it is prompted by what has been achieved at several levels during this first gratifying year, since "Morocco's Green Plan" was launched.

Thus, at institutional level, the Ministry of Agriculture's main departments have been streamlined, the agricultural development agency and the national food safety authority have been set up, the chambers of agriculture have been restructured, inter-professional institutions have been strengthened, and the sector's financial base has been consolidated.

The adoption of regional farming schemes was essential for regional anchoring and for the implementation, across the country, of the promising national strategy for agricultural development. Thus, contracts for investment programs have been signed between the public authorities and the councils and institutions concerned.

At the same time, agricultural hubs have been created to promote farming products, and special emphasis has been placed on training to provide the qualified human resources needed. Considering the vital role of water resources in the farming sector, the national strategy has also attached special importance to irrigation programs.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Notwithstanding these significant achievements, we all have to move faster and with greater efficiency. In this vast and vital sector, the path ahead is not only arduous, but it also requires perseverance, extensive consultation and fruitful partnerships.

I therefore urge the public authorities concerned to strive doubly hard to speed up the conclusion of model partnerships based on aggregate projects in view of their importance for corporate farming and for smallholders for whom I care deeply and who constitute a key element of this promising plan.

In this regard, I wish to praise the commitment shown by professionals and by their federation to program contracts relating to production chains developed as part of the Green Plan.

I also appreciate the involvement of several national banking institutions in the funding of the scheme's project and wish to salute the effective participation of domestic and foreign stakeholders, partners, investors and sponsors. Indeed, the greatest challenge lies in securing the necessary financial resources. State funds, however important they may be, cannot help us achieve the results we yearn for without the contribution of the private sector and of private investment.

In the same vein, I wish to commend the government, Parliament, the chambers of agriculture, the professionals and the territorial development authorities for their unstinting efforts. I particularly wish to praise the solid commitment shown by the farming sector, the Minister of Agriculture and senior officials, as well as our farmers for their constant mobilization and dedication.

I remain strongly committed to the success of Morocco's Green Plan which reflects a structural transition designed to help us upgrade our farming sector in order to win the battle of modernization, productivity, integration and competitiveness.

More investment means better productivity, high-value products and less dependence on climate fluctuations. It also means more steady jobs, higher income for our farmers, and better food security for all Moroccans.

I pray that Almighty God grant you every success in making sure Morocco's farming projects will soon bear abundant fruit.

Wassalamu alaikum warahmatullah wabarakatuh.