Ficosterra presents its biotechnological solutions and research projects for innovative agriculture at SIAM

Ficosterra has attended the Salon International de l’Agriculture au Maroc, SIAM, (Meknes, Morocco), the leading African trade fair for the agricultural and industrial technology sector, where it has presented its biotechnological solutions made from marine algae extracts and microorganisms, as well as the research projects carried out in Africa.

Ficosterra in the Spanish Pavilion at ICEX

For yet another year, Ficosterra has been part of the Spanish Pavilion organized jointly by ICEX Spain Export and Investment and the Spanish Economic and Commercial Office in Casablanca.

Between May 2nd and 6th, more than 30 Spanish companies from the sectors of agricultural machinery, irrigation systems and equipment, greenhouses and crop protection, biostimulants, fertilizers, agronutrients, etc. met in a prominent place in the pôle International, together with other national pavilions such as those of Italy, Germany, France, or the Netherlands.

In addition to the exhibition area, ICEX has organized a series of conferences to publicize the different innovative solutions of the Spanish agricultural sector and thus promote business opportunities between Spain and Morocco. Therefore, on May 6th, the meeting “Espagne-Maroc: L’agriculture du futur: Smart Agro & Agrobiotechnologie” through the CEO, Luis Lombana. The talk/discussion was dedicated to “Innovation applied to plant health and nutrition” and also had the participation of managers from other Spanish companies such as Trichodex from the Fertiberia group and Kimitec.

Lombana had the opportunity to explain to the audience the benefits of using marine algae biostimulants and biofertilizers that Ficosterra has used in recent UNDP international trials, conducted in Morocco and Mexico, as well as their ability to adapt to all kinds of crops and the commercial experience that Ficosterra has had with the producers of northern Morocco.

He also had the opportunity to announce Ficosterra’s participation in the innovative international cooperation project, Reffect Africa (Renewable energies for Africa: Effective valorization of agri-food wastes), of which Ficosterra is a part along with 28 other partners from around the world, all united in a single project led by the University of Jaén and financed by the European Horizon 2020 program, whose purpose is to adapt renewable energy technologies to the recovery of waste on the African continent.

SIAM: the leading fair for the technological and agricultural sector of the African continent  

Luis Lombana and Alejandro Martínez with the Minister of Agriculture of the Embassy of Spain in Morocco

SIAM is the main fair for the agricultural sector on the African continent and the meeting point for the entire agricultural sector in Morocco.

This fair is an opportunity for visitors and participants to come into contact with the latest trends and developments in the agricultural sector, as well as to connect and establish business alliances with the main producers in the area.

In addition to the exhibition area, where the main international companies in the agrifood and livestock sector participate, SIAM also organizes a series of conferences and workshops on issues related to agriculture and rural development.

It must be borne in mind that in this country agriculture is the main sector and engine of the economy. It represents 17% of its GDP, 42% of total employment (70% in rural areas), and 20% of its exports. Consequently, its potential development is the objective of the Moroccan government through strategies such as the well-known Plan Maroc Vert.

Agriculture in Morocco has grown over the last decade to reach average rates of over 6%, well above the rest of the sectors. Its growth potential is very high since there is a wide margin for improvement in the introduction of new biostimulant inputs, mechanization of agricultural operations, the dismantling of trade barriers, or government policies to support the sector, through subsidies and financing for the purchase of new machinery and equipment.

Alejandro Martínez, CTO of Ficosterra, with Rachid Hadria (INRA, Morocco)

The Spanish agricultural sector can benefit from this room for improvement, not only because of its enormous international competitiveness but also because of its geographical proximity, recognition of the quality and technology of Spanish products, and its ability to adapt to the soil and climate of Morocco, very similar to southern Spain.

In 2021, Morocco imported 9.5 billion euros from our country, 29.2% more than the previous year. It is the first destination of our exports to non-EU countries. Spanish exports to the Alaouite country have practically doubled in the agri-food sector in the last ten years.

The location of the fair in Mequínez responds to the great production potential of the area in crops such as vineyards or olive trees, as well as the presence of large food groups. In this way, the enclave offers great potential for interest both nationally and internationally.

SIAM stands out for its strong international importance which is perceived by the high presence of foreign professionals who attend the fair either as exhibitors or as visitors. Specifically, in this 15th edition, more than 60 countries have been represented, particularly European ones.

Ficosterra in Morocco

SIAM fulfills the function of an annual meeting point for all agents interested in participating in the development of the sector in the country, at the same time that it has become a key appointment for numerous international companies that have seen Morocco as a key investment market.

16% of Morocco’s external purchases come from Spain, being its main trading partner for decades.

Trade between Spain and Morocco has grown considerably in the last 25 years, at an average rate of 10% per year, although for the European country, it only accounts for 2.8% of exports and 2.3% of imports. However, if we look at the number of Spanish companies that export to the African country, these have gone from 21,861 in 2019 to 17,644 in 2021, probably due to the impact of the pandemic.

Undoubtedly, this is the reason why Ficosterra sees the Alaouite country as one of the most important in its strategy to develop its internationalization process.

Meeting with distributors in the area

There is no doubt that the success obtained in the UNDP/OIC international trials, carried out in collaboration with the University of Casablanca to contribute to SDG14 (reduction of pollution of the seas due to excess chemical fertilization), has contributed very positively to the introduction of the biostimulants ficosagro® and cystium-k® in Morocco.

It was in 2020 when Ficosterra obtained the necessary permits and certifications from the ONSSA (National Office for Sanitary Safety of Food Products) to be able to market the biostimulants cystium-k® and ficosagro® in Morocco. Once this process was completed, the main door for commercial development in the neighboring country was opened in Ficosterra, one of the main objectives of the company’s internationalization strategy.

Ficosterra has identified a series of markets on which to base its expansion policy, focusing on countries in the Mediterranean area with high-added value crops (red fruits, vegetables). Morocco is part of this objective and that is why the company has dedicated the necessary resources to get its products registered in the corresponding legal framework so that they can be marketed without any type of barrier in the Moroccan market.

Ficosterra has made an important commitment to the Moroccan market, where it sees high growth potential. Likewise, it intends to support Spanish producers who already cultivate in Morocco.

Hand in hand with its distributor Albio S.A.R.L in El Jadida, Ficosterra is already present in the north of Morocco, in red fruit growing areas. We are currently closing distribution agreements with producers in the Beni-Mellal area (for extensive crops and olive trees) and in Agadir.

Reffect Africa

REFFECT AFRICA is an international project that addresses the development of renewable energy sources, providing solutions for communities with and without electricity, and their integration into the existing energy system. It takes into account the generation and transmission of renewable energy as well as the use of storage systems.

Ficosterra is one of the 29 participating partners in this project financed by the European Union through the Horizon 2020 program. This is a pioneering opportunity to implement renewable energy technologies in Morocco, Ghana, and South Africa, where waste from agriculture for a new use that improves the quality of life in these countries, reduces their dependence on fossil fuels, and provides them with access to new sources of renewable energy, such as electrical and thermal energy in areas where previously it did not exist or was difficult to access. We have five years ahead of us to contribute to the well-being of many people in these developing countries.