Aknoul Almond Festival: 9th Edition Revived
The Aknoul Almond Festival Launches Its 9th Edition Under the Banner of Resilience
On Saturday in Aknoul, Ahmed El Bouari, the Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forestry, inaugurated the 9th edition of the Aknoul Almond Festival, running until the 17th of this month. This year’s theme is “The Almond Tree, Ally of Climate Resilience and Territorial Heritage Preservation”, marking 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 merges agriculture, economy, culture, and innovation. The objective is clear: to promote the almond as a strategic product of the mountainous Taza region.
Aknoul Almond Festival: A Showcase of Rural Know-How
After a five-year absence, the festival returns with ambition and visibility. It brings together 64 cooperatives and companies specializing in the valorization of local products, highlighting:
the local agricultural heritage,
the diversity of rural products,
the key economic role of the almond sector in the province of Taza.
The festival also provides an informative space on the connections between local products, green economy, sustainability, and agricultural innovation.
A New Platform Dedicated to Local Products
Abdel Karim Al-Hams, president of the organizing association, emphasizes the event’s structuring role. He announced the launch of a digital platform dedicated to local products, conceived as:
an exhibition space,
a valorization tool,
a showcase for sales and marketing,
a lever to enhance the visibility of cooperatives.
He stresses the importance of encouraging local operators to invest in transformation:
A Rich Scientific, Cultural, and Economic Program
The program for the Aknoul Almond Festival includes:
scientific conferences,
workshops led by experts,
sports activities,
cultural shows and activities,
professional meetings.
These initiatives aim to strengthen the skills of cooperatives and foster exchanges among sector stakeholders.
The Almond Tree: Economic and Ecological Pillar of the Territory
According to Mustapha Elmghari, a representative from the regional agricultural department of Fès-Meknès, this edition illustrates the richness of Moroccan terroirs, with participation from cooperatives from seven regions of the Kingdom.
Almond cultivation occupies:
40,520 hectares at the provincial level,
including 25,000 hectares in Aknoul.
This sector represents:
an essential lever for value creation,
a means for income diversification,
a factor of climate resilience,
an effective tool against desertification.
A Festival Aligned with the Generation Green 2020-2030 Strategy
The festival aligns with the objectives of the Generation Green Strategy, which aims to:
strengthen a rural middle class,
enhance professional organizations,
structure agricultural cooperatives,
create sustainable jobs in rural areas.
This 9th edition anticipates the participation of over 100 exhibitors, solidifying Aknoul as a hub for the valorization of almonds and local products.
