The 60th edition of the International Rose Festival in Kelaa M’Gouna has begun
The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forests, Mr. Ahmed Bouaari, inaugurated the activities of the 60th International Rose Festival, taking place from May 5 to 8, 2025, in Kelaa M’Gouna, under the esteemed patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI.
This prominent event, organized under the theme “The Rose Value Chain: A Driver for Sustainable Development within the Framework of the Green Generation Strategy,” underscores the economic, social, and cultural significance of this heritage sector in the Draa-Tafilalet region, particularly in the provinces of Tinghir and Uarzazate.
The festival’s opening was attended by notable figures, including the governor of Tinghir and the president of the Draa-Tafilalet region, as well as heads of municipalities, professional chambers, and the inter-professional federation of the rose sector, alongside a number of elected officials, sector professionals, and international partners.
As part of the implementation of the regional agricultural strategy for the Green Generation, the minister toured various model agricultural projects, including a rose farm extending over 8.5 hectares equipped with drip irrigation, and a rose distillation unit managed by a women’s cooperative, showcasing significant achievements in developing this sector, which has exceeded 4,100 tons of production this season due to favorable climatic conditions.
Currently, the area cultivated with rose crops stands at 1,020 hectares, representing noteworthy growth that has improved productivity by 25% and increased producers’ income by 153%.
During the event, four new projects in solidarity agriculture were presented, involving investments of nearly 190 million dirhams, in addition to signing five partnership agreements aimed at promoting solidarity agriculture, reconstituting livestock, protecting oases, and enhancing local soil.
It is noteworthy that the agricultural plan for the Tinghir province, part of the Green Generation Strategy 2020-2030, requires investments exceeding 1.35 billion dirhams, focusing on modernizing irrigation systems, supporting farmers, and rehabilitating production chains, with an emphasis on water conservation where irrigated areas using drip technology increased from 106 hectares in 2008 to 2,284 hectares in 2025.
The festival features more than 100 pavilions, including spaces dedicated to roses, local products, and agricultural equipment, along with a diverse program of scientific seminars and workshops to exchange experiences and enhance innovation in managing natural resources and promoting local products.
