Small date farmers in Morocco are being offered more financial support as the country expects a record harvest of 177,000 tonnes in the 2026-2027 season, up 11% on the previous season. Crédit Agricole du Maroc, a major agricultural lender, is using the International Date Palm Exhibition (SIDATTES) in Erfoud to show how it helps farmers access loans, improve irrigation and sell their produce.
The 15th edition of the exhibition opened on 28 October 2026 under the theme “Date Palm and Innovation: Opportunities for Integrated Local Development”. It was inaugurated by Khalid Hatimy, Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries and Food Sovereignty.
The date sector generates more than 3 billion dirhams in added value each year and provides more than 3.4 million workdays. Nearly two million people depend directly or indirectly on date farming, which accounts for up to 60% of agricultural income for some oasis households.
Loans for farmers who lack bank guarantees
Many small farmers struggle to borrow money because they do not have the land ownership documents that banks usually require as security.
Tamwil El Fellah, a subsidiary of Crédit Agricole du Maroc, provides loans designed for farmers who cannot easily access traditional banking services.
A state-backed guarantee fund covers 60% of its loan portfolio, helping the institution lend to farmers based on the expected profitability of their projects.
The institution has released hundreds of millions of dirhams to finance thousands of agricultural projects, according to information provided about its activities. Its model received an international award in 2019 for its role in developing Morocco’s oasis regions.
Hanane Ajli, head of the bank president’s office and managing director of Tamwil El Fellah, said the bank wanted to support the entire oasis economy.
“Crédit Agricole is taking part this year, as it usually does, to show the support we provide to the entire oasis ecosystem,” she said.
The bank’s support covers the full production process, from planting date palms to processing and selling the fruit.
“Our support is complete. It covers everything from planting crops to production, processing and adding value to dates from the oasis,” Ajli said.
Help with equipment and water costs
Farmers can use the loans to buy date palm plants, machinery and modern irrigation equipment. The financing also helps them process and market their dates after harvest.
The state provides further support through the Agricultural Development Fund, which subsidises 70% of the cost of date palm plants for eligible plantation expansion projects. Tamwil El Fellah can help farmers cover the remaining costs.
The bank also finances projects designed to reduce water and energy costs. These include replacing old diesel-powered water pumps with solar-powered systems.
“We have specific products for mechanisation, irrigation, sustainable commitments and the green transition,” Ajli said.
The bank’s approach supports the national Generation Green 2020-2030 strategy, which aims to modernise agriculture and improve farmers’ living conditions.
Its services also cover farmers’ personal financial needs, not just their businesses.
“Our approach is very broad. It also includes farmers’ basic needs as individuals, and not only as professionals,” Ajli said.
Drâa-Tafilalet produces 83% of the country’s dates
The Drâa-Tafilalet region accounts for 83% of national date production. It has more than 6.49 million date palms spread across 56,000 hectares.
Date farming is a major source of jobs and income in the region. Better access to finance and modern farming methods could help farmers increase production, protect rural jobs and reduce the number of young people leaving villages for cities.
Tamwil El Fellah also provides practical training to help farmers improve yields and develop other sources of income through local oasis products.
Crédit Agricole du Maroc says it works with businesses of all sizes to strengthen the date sector.
“We are also here to support the date palm sector and its wider ecosystem. We want to stand alongside operators and businesses of all sizes that work to promote and develop this sector. We support them every day,” Ajli said.
