Forging Sustainable Agricultural Development: ADA and Azur Partners Join Forces

Friday 26 April 2024 - 10:00

In a significant move toward promoting sustainable and innovative agricultural practices, the Agricultural Development Agency (ADA) and Azur Partners, a leading investment management firm, signed a pivotal agreement on Wednesday in Meknes. The signing took place on the sidelines of the 16th International Agriculture Fair in Morocco (SIAM).

The agreement, signed by ADA's Director General, El Mahdi Arrifi, and Azur Partners' Director General, Tarik Haddi, was overseen by Mohamed Sadiki, Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forests. It outlines a strategic plan to finance and invest in innovative and sustainable agricultural projects through funds managed by Azur Partners.

Firmly rooted in the "Generation Green 2020-2030" strategy, this initiative aims to drive the transition toward a competitive and climate-resilient agricultural sector. By channeling new funding into innovative and sustainable agricultural ventures, the partnership seeks to herald a new era of dynamism in agriculture.

This collaboration underscores ADA's commitment to supporting and promoting agricultural initiatives that prioritize sustainability and innovation. It represents a significant milestone in achieving these objectives.

The agreement encompasses a broad range of investment and venture capital funds managed by Azur Partners, including the Nebetou Fund, which supports high-value-added enterprises and operations. It also includes Afoulki Invest, an accelerator for agritech companies, and the Azur Innovation Fund, dedicated to funding innovative and scalable agricultural startups.

"This project will pave the way for numerous initiatives benefiting farmers, youth, and investors, while promoting climate-resilient agriculture and climate-smart farming practices," said Arrifi in a statement to MAP after the signing ceremony. He noted that Azur Partners manages three specialized investment funds focused on innovation, sustainable agricultural development, and support for investment in the agricultural sector.

Haddi, for his part, highlighted that Azur Partners has supported thirty companies in agriculture, agri-food, and new technology. This agreement with ADA, a partner since 2011, aligns with the Kingdom's agricultural strategy.

ADA, a public institution under the Ministry of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forests, is dedicated to fostering sustainable, competitive, and climate-resilient agricultural development.

SIAM, running until April 28th under the theme "Climate and Agriculture: For Sustainable and Resilient Production Systems," features participation from nearly 70 countries, with Spain as the guest of honor, and includes 1,500 exhibitors. Over 950,000 visitors are expected at this grand agricultural event, which offers a rich program of 40 conferences and roundtables on critical themes in agriculture.