On the occasion of its participation at COP 22, Lesieur Cristal is sharing the successful integration model of Moroccan olive and oleaginous sectors.

- A success based on Green Morocco Plan targeting the sustainable growth of these agricultural sectors
- A model of aggregation that can be applied to the African continent through the Adaptation of African Agriculture Initiative.

On the occasion of its participation at the COP 22, Lesieur Cristal subsidiary of confirmed its status as a leading aggregator in favor of a sustainable Moroccan agriculture industry. A key lever of Green Morocco Plan, aggregation makes it possible to develop more competitive and efficient sectors by fostering a win-win partnership between upstream production and downstream commercial-industrial stakeholders. The goal being to draw on this experience to strengthen it in Morocco with the hopes of making it a true driver of agricultural development in Africa using the AAA (Adaptation of African Agriculture) Initiative.

This approach and the challenges associated to such sector reorganization for Morocco and Africa are being showcased at the COP 22, in the area devoted to the AAA initiative. On Wednesday, November 16, from 2 pm to 4 pm, Lesieur Cristal will hold a round table, under the theme: “Aggregation, a driver for Africa’s agricultural development.” Inaugurated by Minister of Agriculture and Maritime Fisheries, Mr. Aziz Akhannouch, the roundtable will be chaired by Mr. Samir Oudghiri Idrissi, Lesieur Cristal’s General Manager. Mr. Oudghiri Idrissi will talk about the role and importance of aggregation in Morocco’s agriculture sector development by making every effort to share this model with the rest of the continent. On this occasion, the Ministers of Agriculture of Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso will present their countries’ agricultural development strategies. Leading Moroccan and foreign stakeholders, public operators, agribusiness and financial professionals will also be invited to take part in the event.

The benefits of aggregation in Morocco are countless for federated farmers. Transferring skills, implementing irrigation and harvesting techniques that are respectful of the environment, making access finance and subsidies easier, securing investments, all these are major assets that have enabled 900 oilseed farmers and 200 olive oil producers to aggregate around Lesieur Cristal. For consumers, this approach fosters price stability through a supply guarantee and marked improvements in quality using widely recognized standards. Within Morocco, aggregation also makes it possible to reduce the trade balance for the oilseed sector (major importer of commodities), while promoting exports in the olive oil sector, an industry with a considerable potential.

Through a comprehensive restructuring program of the oilseed sector, the implementation of a suitable framework and a significant reduction in import dependency in the last three years
have shown the first significant and encouraging results. Areas cultivated in sunflower and rapeseed have increased from 16,000 ha in 2014 to 56,000 ha today, with the clear goal of reaching 127,000 ha by 2020 to cover 20% of the national needs in edible oils.

As a deeply involved player, Lesieur Cristal, takes an active part in developing a quality and responsible olive oil industry. As part of Green Morocco Plan, which aims to increase production, develop exports and create jobs, the Avril Group’s subsidiary addresses these goals by developing its own olive sector. From 2009 to 2016, olive groves areas increased from 560 to 1,500 hectares with an additional 350,000 trees planted. This agribusiness operator is aiming to extend its plantations to 4,000 ha by 2020. As the sector’s leading aggregator, the company now brings together 200 farmers trained in mechanized planting, drip irrigation and modern harvesting techniques. The goal is to reach 500 aggregated farmers by 2020 to create more jobs and achieve social progress for the rural world.

COP 22 will also be an opportunity for Lesieur Cristal to present its numerous other initiatives that promote sustainable agriculture practices. The company will address in particular the
theme of circular economy, an integrated approach that aims to substitute fuel use by reclaiming by-products of its olive-growing activity, namely olive pomace. This green energy innovation currently covers 60% of the production chain’s energy needs and should reach 100% by 2020. Energy savings amount to nearly 200 million dirhams—to be reinvested in the rural areas according to the principles of circular economy.