Minister of Agriculture Inaugurates Almond Festival in Tafraout and Launches Agricultural and Rural Development Projects in Tiznit Province
In a vibrant and joyful atmosphere, the twelfth edition of the Almond Festival was inaugurated today, Friday, in the Tafraout commune of Tiznit Province. This year, the event is held under the meaningful slogan: “Land of Almonds, Wealth of Tomorrow.”.
This major event, presided over by the Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forests, Mr. Ahmed Bouari, comes as part of the implementation of the Green Generation 2020–2030 strategy. It reaffirms the festival’s status as an established annual event on the agricultural sector’s calendar and as a renewed symbol of sustainable territorial development.
The Tafraout Almond Festival has grown to become more than just an agricultural event; it is an economic, cultural, and artistic gathering that reflects a deep sense of belonging and pride in local identity. It serves as a real engine for promoting the almond value chain and enhancing this promising regional product, which is a driver of socio-economic development in the area.
Running until April 13, the event aims to enhance the heritage of the Anti-Atlas Mountains and improve the socio-economic conditions of the local population by fostering the principles of social and solidarity economy. It also seeks to promote the almond sector, the region’s symbolic and primary product.
Held over an area of 2,000 square meters, the festival features more than 110 exhibitors of local products from various regions of the Kingdom, as well as industry professionals. The exhibition is expected to attract around 80,000 visitors.
In a statement to the press, Mr. Bouari highlighted the significant role the festival plays in enhancing the almond value chain. He noted that the total area occupied by almond trees in the Souss-Massa region exceeds 43,000 hectares, especially in the Anti-Atlas area.
The Minister added that this represents about 10% of the national almond-growing area, which is estimated at 246,000 hectares, and that the regional production reaches approximately 27,600 tons annually—equivalent to 17% of national production.
In another development, the Minister visited the Aglou commune to review the progress of the cactus planting program resistant to the cochineal insect in Tiznit Province. Launched for the 2022–2027 period with a total budget of 55 million dirhams, this initiative is part of the Green Generation strategy. It includes the planting and maintenance of 5,000 hectares of cochineal-resistant cactus and the training and support of beneficiary farmers across five communes in the province.
On this occasion, Mr. Bouari also launched the first phase of cactus planting over an area of 500 hectares in the communes of Aglou and Bouanane. The project spans a total area of 1,000 hectares, with a total investment of 11 million dirhams, and is set to benefit 420 farmers.
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