Aknoul’s Almond Festival Launches Its 9th Edition Under the Banner of Resilience

On Saturday, Ahmed El Bouari, the Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forests, officially kicked off the 9th edition of the Aknoul Almond Festival, which runs until the 17th of this month. This year’s theme is “The Almond Tree: A Partner in Climate Resilience and Territorial Heritage Preservation.” The festival marks the return of a significant event dedicated to rural development and local products.

Organized by the Almond Festival Association with support from relevant ministries and various institutional partners, the festival adopts a renewed format that combines agriculture, economy, culture, and innovation. The clear objective is to highlight the almond as a strategic product of the mountainous Taza region.

A Showcase of Rural Expertise

After a five-year hiatus, the festival returns with ambition and visibility. It brings together 64 cooperatives and enterprises specializing in promoting local products, shedding light on:

• Local Agricultural Heritage
• Diversity of Rural Products
• The Key Economic Role of the Almond Sector in Taza Province

The festival also provides an informational space focused on the links between local products, green economy, sustainability, and agricultural innovation.

A New Platform for Local Products

Abdel Karim Al-Hams, president of the organizing association, highlights the event’s role in structuring the sector. He announced the launch of a digital platform dedicated to local products, designed as:

• An exhibition space
• A valorization tool
• A marketplace
• A lever to enhance the visibility of cooperatives

He emphasizes the importance of encouraging local operators to invest in product transformation, including:

• Almond oil
• Derivative products
• Natural cosmetics
• Food innovation

A Rich Scientific, Cultural, and Economic Program

The program for the Aknoul Almond Festival includes:

• Scientific conferences
• Expert-led workshops
• Sports activities
• Cultural performances and events
• Professional networking opportunities

These initiatives aim to strengthen cooperatives’ skills and promote exchanges among sector stakeholders.

The Almond Tree: An Economic and Ecological Pillar of the Region

According to Mustapha Elmghari, a representative from the regional agriculture department of Fès-Meknès, this edition illustrates the richness of Moroccan terroirs, featuring cooperatives from seven regions of the Kingdom. The almond tree covers:

• 40,520 hectares at the provincial level,
• 25,000 hectares in Aknoul.

This sector represents:

• A vital lever for value creation
• A means of diversifying income
• A factor in climate resilience
• An effective tool against desertification.

A Festival Aligned with the Green Generation Strategy 2020-2030

The festival aligns with the objectives of the Green Generation Strategy, which aims to:

• Strengthen a rural middle class
• Enhance professional organizations
• Structure agricultural cooperatives
• Create sustainable rural jobs

This 9th edition is set to feature the participation of over 100 exhibitors, solidifying Aknoul’s position as a hub for almond promotion and local products.