The Aknoul Almond Festival Launches Its 9th Edition Focused on Resilience

On Saturday, the Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forests, Ahmed El Bouari, officially opened the 9th edition of the Aknoul Almond Festival, which will run until the 17th of this month. This year’s festival, themed "The Almond Tree: Ally of Climate Resilience and Preservation of Territorial Heritage," 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 combining agriculture, economy, culture, and innovation. The goal is clear: to promote almonds as a strategic product of the mountainous Taza region.

Aknoul Almond Festival: A Showcase of Rural Know-How

After five years of absence, the festival returns with ambition and visibility, uniting 64 cooperatives and companies specializing in showcasing local products. This gathering aims to highlight:

• the local agricultural heritage,
• the diversity of rural products,
• the key economic role of the almond sector in the Taza province.

The festival also provides an information space about the connections between local products, the 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 structural role. He notably announces the launch of a digital platform dedicated to local products, designed as:

• an exhibition space,
• a valorization tool,
• a sales and marketing showcase,
• a lever to enhance the visibility of cooperatives.

He stresses the importance of encouraging local operators to invest in transformation efforts.

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 events,
• professional meetings.

These initiatives aim to strengthen the skills of cooperatives and facilitate exchanges between sector stakeholders.

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

According to Mustapha Elmghari, an official at the regional agricultural department of Fès-Meknès, this edition showcases the richness of Moroccan terroirs, with the participation of cooperatives from seven regions of the Kingdom.

Almond cultivation spans:

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

This sector represents:

• an essential lever for value creation,
• a means of income diversification,
• a factor of climate resilience,
• an effective tool against desertification.

A Festival Aligned with the Generation Green 2020-2030 Strategy

The festival is in line 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 participation from over 100 exhibitors, solidifying Aknoul as a hub for promoting almonds and local products.