The VIIth International Congress on Cactus Pear and Cochineal
and
The VIIth General Meeting of the FAO-ICARDA International Technical Cooperation Network on Cactus Pear and Cochineal Agadir (Morocco), October 17-22, 2010
Presentation
Previous International Congresses on Cactus Pear and Cochineal were held in Mexico (1991), Chile (1992), South Africa (1996), Tunisia (2000), Mexico (2004) and Brazil (2007). Morocco, a country of tradition and hospitality will host the seventh International Congress on Cactus Pear and Cochineal and the VIIth General Meeting of the FAO-ICARDA International Technical Cooperation Network on Cactus Pear in Agadir, October 17-22, 2010. The Kingdom of Morocco is located in the upper northwest corner of Africa, 15 km south of Spain through Gibraltar Strait. The kingdom's capital is Rabat. The national territory extends on an area of about 71 millions ha with a population of about 31 millions. Cactus crop has been introduced into Morocco more than four centuries ago and is spread on about 110,000 ha over the country. Frequent droughts led farmers to plant this crop to mitigate and adapt to climate variability. The recent Moroccan agricultural strategy entitled “the Green Morocco Plan”, launched in 2008, is aiming to (i) develop a modern integrated and competitive agriculture and (ii) promote a social agriculture focusing on improving the welfare of small holders. Cactus is one of the promoting alternative crops, in particular for marginal lands in central and southern regions of the country. A cactus development program is fully integrated in the second pillar of the Green Morocco Plan targeting the following objectives: - Convert cereal crops in marginal areas to cactus plantations; - Enhance cactus productivity and favor export of cactus value-added products through various investment and marketing channels. - Promote cactus products as “niche” products having medicinal, cosmetic and nutritional qualities with high value addition. The objectives of the VIIth International Cactus Congress meet those of the FAO-ICARDA Cactusnet bringing together scientists, producers, operators, users to share new research findings and know-how and to promote enterprises for the benefit of the rural poor. The VIIth International Congress includes: - Nine scientific sessions introduced by key note speakers, - One day field visit to show some of the Moroccan achievements in cactus development, - VIIth General Meeting of the FAO-ICARDA International Technical Cooperation Network on Cactus Pear - An optional 2-day Post-Congress tour to acquaint participants with cactus development program in Central Morocco and give the opportunity to discover Moroccan culture and traditions.
