logo
Almond Festival Kicks Off in Tafraout with Rural Initiatives in Souss-Massa

Almond Festival Kicks Off in Tafraout with Rural Initiatives in Souss-Massa

Morocco World11-04-2025
Rabat – The 12th edition of the Almond Festival opened today in Tafraout on Friday. It was launched by Morocco's Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forests, Ahmed El Bouari.
During his visit, El Bouari also traveled to the province of Tiznit to monitor and launch new agricultural and rural development projects under the Green Generation Strategy (2020–2030).
He was accompanied by the Governor of Tiznit Province, the President of the Regional Agricultural Chamber of Souss-Massa, the President of the Provincial Council of Tiznit, elected officials, and senior ministry representatives.
Running from April 10 to 13 under the theme 'Land of Almonds, Wealth of Tomorrow,' the Almond Festival aims to promote the almond sector and support the local economy and culture, according to a statement from the ministry.
The festival also aims to celebrate the heritage of the Anti-Atlas region and improve the social and economic conditions of local communities by promoting solidarity-based and social economy values. The almond is considered the region's symbolic and main agricultural product, noted the statement.
Read also: Moroccans Prefer 'Cheaper' American Almonds Despite Self-Sufficient Production
The festival covers a space of 2,000 square meters and hosts over 110 exhibitors of local products from across Morocco, in addition to professional players in the sector. Organizers expect more than 80,000 visitors.
The almond trees in the Souss-Massa region, especially in the Anti-Atlas area, cover a total of 23,431 hectares. This represents about 10% of Morocco's national almond-growing area, estimated at 246,000 hectares. The region produces around 27,600 tons of almonds each year, or about 17% of the national production.
As part of the visit, the minister also launched the first phase of a cactus planting program in the rural communes of Aglou and Bounaamane in the Tiznit Province. Almond Festival
This program focuses on planting a special type of cactus that is resistant to the cochineal insect, which has badly affected cactus plants in recent years. The program will cover 5,000 hectares in five rural communes between 2022 and 2027. It includes planting and maintenance, training, and support for farmers. The total budget for the full program is MAD 55 million.
Around 500 hectares will be planted during the first phase at a cost of MAD 11 million, benefiting 420 farmers. The total area planned for planting in this phase is 1,000 hectares. Tags: almondAlmond festival
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Revolut names first executive in Morocco as it prepares to enter the market
Revolut names first executive in Morocco as it prepares to enter the market

Ya Biladi

timea day ago

  • Ya Biladi

Revolut names first executive in Morocco as it prepares to enter the market

A few months after showing interest in the Moroccan market, the British digital banking powerhouse Revolut is intensifying its efforts. The fintech behemoth, which now claims a global user base of 60 million, has appointed its inaugural executive to lead its operations in Morocco. This pivotal role has been entrusted to Amine Berrada, the former operations director for Uber in Southern and Eastern Europe. He has been tasked with steering Revolut's strategic direction and growth in Morocco. «Revolut is on a mission to build the world's first truly global financial superapp and I'm thrilled to contribute to launching and scaling its presence in Morocco. I'm especially proud to be doing this for my home country, helping bring cutting-edge financial services to millions of Moroccans», he shared on LinkedIn. This development corroborates information disclosed by Yabiladi last April, which revealed Revolut's plans for a phased entry into Morocco, starting as a payment operator, with ambitions to secure a full banking license within two years. Headquartered in London, the company is eyeing several countries in the MENA region, including the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. It offers a comprehensive suite of services, from multi-currency exchange to cryptocurrencies, savings, credit, and investments. Revolut continues to evaluate the Moroccan market. «We regard Morocco as an attractive market. However, we are still in the early stages», the company mentioned in a discussion with Asharq Business. With an estimated valuation of $45 billion and substantial financial backing from giants like SoftBank, the neobank aims to establish a foothold in a landscape that remains relatively untapped in terms of fully digital banking services. Moroccan authorities, for their part, are signaling a welcoming stance towards fintech, with hopes of enhancing financial inclusion.

Europe's Largest Digital Bank Revolut Sets Sights on Morocco
Europe's Largest Digital Bank Revolut Sets Sights on Morocco

Morocco World

timea day ago

  • Morocco World

Europe's Largest Digital Bank Revolut Sets Sights on Morocco

Marrakech – Europe's largest digital bank, Revolut, is advancing its plans to enter the Moroccan market. The British fintech company has appointed Amine Berrada, former operations director for Uber in Southern and Eastern Europe, to lead its strategy and operations in the country. Revolut, founded in 2015, serves 60 million customers worldwide and has recently been valued at approximately $45 billion. The company has begun forming a team in Morocco in preparation to apply for a license from Bank Al-Maghrib, the country's central bank. 'Revolut continues to explore growth opportunities in new markets as part of our mission to provide our app to customers around the world,' a spokesperson told Asharq Business via email, in a report published on Sunday. 'We are evaluating the Moroccan market and consider it an attractive market, allowing us to provide unique value to customers in the future. However, we are still in the early stages of the process,' they added. The London-based fintech company has included Morocco among its target countries for expansion in the Middle East and North Africa region, alongside the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Revolut offers savings, deposit, borrowing, and investment services globally, as well as foreign exchange, cryptocurrency, and various other financial products. Amine Berrada, who was appointed this month, expressed his enthusiasm in a LinkedIn post: 'Revolut is on a mission to build the world's first truly global financial superapp, and I'm thrilled to contribute to launching and scaling its presence in Morocco.' 'I'm especially proud to be doing this for my home country, helping bring cutting-edge financial services to millions of Moroccans,' he continued. Last year, Revolut surpassed HSBC in customer numbers, helping the company increase its revenue by 72% to £3.1 billion ($4 billion). The fintech giant processed over $1 trillion in customer transactions last year. The company currently supports approximately 36 currencies through its application. Revolut has been actively seeking new permits in various countries worldwide, including through acquisitions. The company already holds a banking license in the United Kingdom and operates in Australia, Japan, India, and Latin America. The fintech firm is backed by SoftBank Group, having raised $800 million from investors in 2021, including from SoftBank's Vision Fund 2 and Tiger Global Management. Since April, there have been multiple reports suggesting Revolut's interest in the Moroccan market. According to Challenge magazine, the company had begun the recruitment process for a local general manager at that time. 'It's no longer a rumor,' fintech expert Adnane Messaoud told Challenge, suggesting that Revolut's arrival could seriously disrupt the ecosystem with fee-free services, real exchange rates, and a fluid interface. Morocco's appeal to giants like Revolut is understandable. Andrea Bises, a regulatory markets specialist for the Gates Foundation, explained to Challenge that 'the Kingdom is among Africa's five lions, with a stable economy and strategic openness to Europe.' However, he warned that 'the regulatory framework is still rigid. No new foreign banking license has been issued for more than a decade.' In this context, Revolut might opt for a hybrid model by forming a strategic partnership with a local bank, similar to CIH Bank's partnership with Apple Pay. This approach could help navigate regulatory complexities while testing the market with a targeted audience. Morocco's growing banking penetration rate, structured regulator, and mature banking sector make it a logical next step after South Africa, where Revolut has already applied for a banking license. The Moroccan diaspora abroad, estimated at over 5 million people, represents an important remittance corridor that Revolut could leverage with its cross-border money transfer solutions. Revolut's interest in the North African country comes as authorities are seeking to encourage fintech companies to contribute to enhancing financial inclusion in the country. Read also: Bank Account Ownership in Morocco Reaches 58% in 2024 Tags: Banking sectorRevolut

New ferry terminal in Nador-Beni Ensar enhances travel experience for Moroccans abroad
New ferry terminal in Nador-Beni Ensar enhances travel experience for Moroccans abroad

Ya Biladi

time2 days ago

  • Ya Biladi

New ferry terminal in Nador-Beni Ensar enhances travel experience for Moroccans abroad

In Nador-Beni Ensar, travelers will encounter a transformed port. A state-of-the-art ferry terminal has just been inaugurated, primarily catering to those returning home for the summer. With more space, enhanced efficiency, and improved facilities, it aims to ensure smoother arrivals, particularly for Moroccans residing abroad. Covering 6,000 square meters, the terminal can accommodate up to 2,700 passengers, as reported by Le360. With cutting-edge amenities, a designated vehicle area, and a streamlined check-in counter, every aspect is designed to minimize wait times and enhance the travel experience. «This terminal is much more than just a transit point», says Driss Lefdaoui, the port director. He views it as a meaningful gesture towards the diaspora, a demonstration that they are valued and remembered. He adds that the project «embodies the ambition of a forward-looking Morocco, eager to strengthen ties with its diaspora and prioritize the warm welcome of Moroccans from around the globe». The unveiling of this ferry terminal also signals a larger vision: to position the port as a catalyst for regional development, serving as a true gateway to the Mediterranean.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store