Arbomed symposium on how to strengthen fruit and vegetable xectors in the Med
As part of the 2016 SIAM (Salon International de l’Agriculture au Maroc) in Meknes, the network Arbomed held a symposium on the theme “An observatory of production and markets, a key to strengthening the strategic sectors of fruit and vegetables in the Mediterranean “.
Led by Fert[1] and AREFLH[2], Arbomed includes key actors of the fruit-growing sector from 7 countries around the Mediterranean: Albania, Algeria, Spain, France, Italy, Morocco, and Tunisia.
The network aims to strengthen the dialogue between these actors, promoting the exchange of experiences and good practices.
Organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Fisheries of Morocco, FéDAM[3] and CIHEAM[4], the conference aimed to pursue a broader reflection on the strengthening of the fruit-growing sectors in the Mediterranean, notably through the observatory of production and markets as it has been implemented in the Arbomed network.
Highlights of discussions at the event were:
The arboriculture, a strategic sector for agriculture and rural development in the Mediterranean.
After a panorama of Moroccan arboriculture production by FéDAM, the CIHEAM’s presentations focused on the strategic importance of the horticultural sector in the Mediterranean, and more broadly the role of agriculture and partnerships to deal with Mediterranean issues.
Types of partnerships and the kind of concerted actions needed to meet the sector’s challenges
Speakers presented examples of partnerships that promote greater collaboration between stakeholders in the fruit sector.
The AREFLH presented and described the operation of the observatory of production and markets set up by the Arbomed network.
Round Table “A Mediterranean cooperation supporting national strategies”:
Each country presented its policy to support the fruit and vegetable sector by emphasizing the importance of addressing together a number of issues, including that of the market and its trends.
This event has demonstrated the need to set up a consultation tool such as the Observatory of production and markets, as a reflection tool for greater complementarity between countries, Arbomed said in a press release
The symposium in Meknes was followed by a meeting of the Arbomed steering committee.
[1] Fert is a French association of international cooperation for agricultural development in developing and emerging countries. Accompanying farmers in creating organizations to enable them to provide sustainable solutions to the problems they face, its aim is to help create in those countries the conditions for farmers to improve their living conditions and work, and contribute to the food security in their country.
[2] AREFLH is the Assembly of European Regions producing fruits, vegetables and horticulture.
[3] The FéDAM is the Interprofessional Federation of Arboriculture in Morocco. Created in 2010, it brings together associations of the fruit-growing sector in Morocco. Its aim is, among others, to promote an innovative and responsible agriculture and defend the economical interests of the sector and to improve the image of its members and the profession nationally and internationally.
[4] CIHEAM: International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies. Founded in 1962, the International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM) is an intergovernmental organisation composed of thirteen member states (Albania, Algeria, Egypt, France, Greece, Italy, Lebanon, Malta, Morocco, Portugal, Spain, Tunisia and Turkey).
CIHEAM is at the service of its member states to promote multilateral cooperation in the Mediterranean in the fields of agriculture, food, fishery and rural territories, aiming to respond to the needs of the States and of the agro-food actors.
