The NACD is based at the city of Kelaa-des-Sraghna (80 Km north of Marrakech) . A province located in a semiarid region where cactus is one of the main crops..
|
Welcome in the web site of the
|
|
The National Association for Cactus Development (NACD) is a
moroccan non-profit organization . After many years of preparation this NGO
was finaly founded in 2006 by a multidisciplinary profesional group
including ingeneers, researchers, indusrials, farmers .... The NACD is based at the city of Kelaa-des-Sraghna (80 Km north of Marrakech) . A province located in a semiarid region where cactus is one of the main crops..
|
|
|
|
NACD celebrate the event by organizing a special event Celebrating 2006 as International Year of Deserts and Desertification The National Association for Cactus Development(ANADEC) Organized its First Cactus Itinerant University of Cactus (UNIC)
The National Association for Cactus Development (ANADEC), an NGO founded on March 18th - 2006, organized on November 1-10th 2006 a Cactus Itinerant University UNIC). This special is one of ANADEC’s activities celebrating the Year 2006, devoted by the international community to the “Deserts and Desertification”. The UNIC, such as defined by its founders, is a space of exchange of information, seminars, meetings, contacts, technical and field visits… it’s also an involvement of this young association in Morocco's National Initiative for Human Development. In its first version, the UNIC was honoured by the participation of Dr Ali Nefzaoui, the General Coordinator of FAO-CactusNet and with the Network FAO-Cactus (Dr. Ali Nefzaoui) and with two distinguished Argentinian experts: Dra Judith OCHOA, and Mónica Azucena Nazareno. Both, are from National University of Santiago del Estero. Dra Ochoa is the Cactus-Net Regional coordinator for south america. UNIC is also hounoured by a great argentinian friend: Dr Sergio Uhart. The blow of sending of this UNIC was given in the city of Settat, where ANADEC organized an interessant Meeting, in collaboration with the “Faculté des Sciences et Techniques” (FST) and the Regional Center for Agronomic Research (CRRA). under the topic: “The prickly pear cactus: An alternative crop for the Human Development”. The four papers presented showed clearly how this minificent culture migh contribute to the human development: Initially by its role in fighting against poverty and the valorization of arid and semi-arid regions (Dra J.Ochoa and Dr. A. Chriyaa: CRRA), and by its medicinal virtues, therefore human well being (Dra M.Nazareno - UNSE, and Prf. S.Hilali -FST) After Settat, the UNIC moved to the city of Kelaa-Sraghna where the ANADEC’s guests were honoured as they were received, in his residence, by His excelence the Governor of the province. They took knowledge of His interesting remarks relating to the importance of prickly pear cactus in rural economy of the Province. The program of this second UNIC day, which was devoted to an interesting topic (that of Environment) included many field visits : In Skhours-Rehamna, the participants visited a farm considered as a model where cactus crop is in a well integration with sheep breeding. In Sidi Bou Othmane, always in the province of Kelaa, the visitors could see the role of the prickly pear cactus in the safeguarding of the environment (Mountains of Jbilat) and the biodiversity (Dorca’s gazelle park). Time constraint did not allow to visit the plantations carried out by the “Office Cherifien des Phosphates” in the area of Gantour (youssoufia) nor to organize the two conferences which was envisaged in Ben Guerir. The visit of Kelaa-Sraghna was completed successfully thanks to the support of the local authorities and technical departments (DPA, ORMVAH and Eaux-et-Forêts). In Marrakech city, the third day of UNIC was mainly dedicated to a fruitful roundtable at the “Faculté des Sciences Semlalia”. The meeting was lead by two vices dean of the faculty. the Argentinian researchers exchanged with their Moroccan counterparts the points of view on the crop and the research undertaken in their respective universities. The meeting, initiated by ANADEC, arrived at conclusions on the possibility of founding an academic co-operation between the two parts. Moroccan researchers having taken part in this meeting are : Drs and Profs: E.El-Boustani, M.Baaziz, A.Ben Iich and A.Jaouad). It is quite obvious that our guests cannot pass through Marrakech, without discovering, at least part of the beauty of this city: Place Jamaa-lafna, Koutoubia, the palm plantation, art of cooking, and the historic buildings…. During the fourth day, UNIC moved towards another beautiful city: Agadir, where another meeting is held thanks to the CRRA (Agadir) under such an important topic: “genetic improvement of Opuntias”. Our Argentinan honest guest presented again two papers about the cactus crop in argentina and its health benific. The eminent researcher of the CRRA, Ing. M.Boujghag, has shown the interesting results of his research undertaken for several years on the selection of “cultivars” with high potential yield. The Provincial Director of the Agriculture of Tiznit (another southern city) presented in a noticeable communication cactus statement in the region. The President of the Chamber of Agriculture of Tiznit (Dr. OURRAIS) stated himself very motivated in contribute to the development of this culture which ensures of substantial incomes the rural population. Miss K.Achahour (member of the ANADEC and carrying a project on the valorization of cactus) evoked the problems of fruit and other cactus pructs marketing. After a round in the experimental station of the CRRA, the program of the day was completed by the visit of co-operative WIRGAN (argan oil). This visit was animated by Dra Z.Bouzoubaa (CRRA). Samples of this invaluable oil were offered to the visitors. It should be noted that the constraint of time deprived again the UNIC to go to Tiznit province (visit of the Aknari co-operative) and of the visit of other establishments and NGOs (IAV Hassan II, the FST, Association Illig…) The return in Casablanca via the Atlantic road made it possible to the participants to be delighted by the beauty of our landscape and the cleanliness of our cities (Essaouira, Safi, Oualidia, El Jadida, Casablanca). In Mohamed V international airport, our friends , very satisfied by the good organization, left Morocco after receiving thanks and wishes to see theme in next UNIC. ANADEC is assessing this this initiative! Beautiful prospects are announced at the horizon!
I apologize my bad english AIT HAMOU Abderrahman
|
