Under the theme "The Aïn Leuh cherry: securing production, a prerequisite for sustainable territorial development", Aïn Leuh is hosting the fifth Cherry Meeting from 14 to 16 June. Initiated by the Anarouz Association of cherry producers in Aïn Leuh and the regional directorate of agriculture of Meknès-Tafilalet, in collaboration with the Chamber of Agriculture of the Meknès-Tafilalet region, the provincial council of Ifrane, the province of Ifrane, the OCP Group, the municipal council of Aïn Leuh, and the Interprofessional Federation of the Fruit Arboriculture Sector, this meeting aims to unveil the potential of Aïn Leuh as a prime cherry production area. "The cherry tree is a promising sector in Aïn Leuh. It is identified as one of the eight flagship local products of the Meknès-Tafilalet region on which agricultural development and valorisation projects can be built... In this perspective, and to promote the potential of Aïn Leuh as a prime cherry production area, this meeting has been organised every year since 2009 by the 'Anarouz' association of cherry producers in Aïn Leuh," the organisers explain in a presentation note. They add that various themes related to cherries and the territory have been chosen over the last five years with the aim of debating the issues hindering the development of the sector, but also to promote the tourist, cultural, and artistic potential that makes Aïn Leuh a rich and diverse territory. This year's theme is also justified for various reasons. The Ifrane area is known for its frost and hail corridors, which cause terrible damage to fruit arboriculture, particularly cherry trees. "This phenomenon starts from April to September. Frosts sometimes arrive in April and May, coinciding with the reproductive phase of fruit trees and causing production losses," the organisers explain. They specify that these constraints do not favour sustainable territorial development and require a debate with organisations, decision-makers, and stakeholders. These constraints are also at the heart of the Scientific Days organised on the sidelines of the fifth Aïn Leuh Cherry Meeting. During the first session, titled "Cherry production facing climatic hazards", the issue of climatic hazards will be discussed: the scale, the damage caused, and the measures taken by the State to mitigate its effects on arboriculture in general, and the cherry tree in particular. The second workshop, titled "From agricultural product marketing to territorial marketing", will also present the various strategies of the Ministry of Agriculture regarding the promotion and valorisation of local products, labelling projects, and the marketing and valorisation of agricultural products. n

Cherry cultivation in Morocco covers an area of more than 1,700 ha. The Meknès-Tafilalet region alone accounts for 51.6% of the national area. Annual production exceeds 7,000 tonnes, 65.3% of which is in the Aïn Leuh region. Grown under irrigation (small and medium hydraulics), it is planted on an area of more than 856 hectares, distributed between the commune of Aïn Leuh (70%) and other sites: Tizguite, Sidi El Makhfi, Oued Ifrane, and Ben Smim.