The town of Erfoud is preparing to host the 13th edition of the International Date Show (SIDATTES), which will be held from October 29 to November 3. This event, placed under the high patronage of King Mohammed VI, will highlight a strategic sector, symbolic of Moroccan oases and their resilience in the face of climatic upheavals.
Under the aegis of the Ministry of Agriculture and with the organization of the Association du Salon International des Dates au Maroc (ASIDMA), this edition will bring together around 230 exhibitors and should attract more than 90,000 visitors. The show, spread over an area of 40,000 m², presents itself as an essential crossroads for players in the Phoenicicole sector.
At the heart of this event, the flagship date producing regions, Drâa-Tafilalet, Oriental, Souss-Massa, and Guelmim-Oued Noun, will occupy a central place through the “Regions” pole, highlighting their assets and potential. . Added to this are the “Institutional and Sponsors” as well as “International” divisions, bringing together the main public and private organizations involved in the date palm value chain. Date producing countries will also be represented, reinforcing the global dimension of SIDATTES.
Specialized centers such as “Agrosupplies” and “Agricultural machinery” will offer professionals an overview of the latest innovations in the field of fertilizers, agricultural tools, phytosanitary products and irrigation systems, while the “Rahba” space and that dedicated to “ Local products” will highlight local cooperatives, true pillars of the national production of dates and its derivatives.
Beyond the exhibition, the scientific aspect of SIDATES stands out as a highlight. The Investment Forum and the Scientific Day, two major events, will address strategic issues for the sector, in particular adaptation to climate change. The Forum, under the theme “Investment in the Phoenicultural sector: a lever for resilient systems”, will bring together public, private actors and project leaders, highlighting the cooperation between the Agency for Agricultural Development (ADA) and the Crédit Agricole du Maroc Group (GCAM).
The Scientific Day, organized by the National Institute of Agronomic Research (INRA) in partnership with the National Agency for the Development of Oasis Zones and Argan Trees (ANDZOA), will bring together experts and researchers to discuss recent technological advances, opening the way to new solutions for the sustainable development of this emblematic sector.
The development of the date palm is, in fact, a priority within the framework of the “Green Generation” strategy. A program contract between the State and the Moroccan Interprofessional Date Federation, planned for the period 2021-2030, is part of this dynamic with an envelope of 7.5 billion dirhams. It aims to plant 5 million palm trees, support youth entrepreneurship, as well as modernize production, packaging and marketing chains.
SIDATTES thus presents itself as much more than a simple commercial showcase. It is a platform for communication, exchange and promotion of Moroccan dates, part of a strategic vision aimed at consolidating Morocco’s place on the international scene while strengthening the resilience of oases in the face of ecological challenges.