The regional stud farm of El Jadida hosted, last Tuesday, the third stage of the fifth edition of the Open Days at national stud farms, organised from 17 February to 12 March 2016 by the Royal Society for the Encouragement of the Horse.

For the fifth consecutive year, the Royal Society for the Encouragement of the Horse (Sorec) is organising the Open Days at national stud farms (JPO Sorec). Initiated in 2012, as part of the National Strategy for the equine sector, under the impetus of the Ministry of Agriculture and Maritime Fisheries, this event is an annual exchange meeting awaited by horse professionals, notably breeders, veterinary surgeons, as well as experts and technicians in breeding.

A platform for meetings and exchanges, the JPO Sorec aim to strengthen the spirit of openness and proximity between Sorec and the various actors in this sector. This edition was inaugurated at the national stud farm of Meknes, which hosted the first stage on 16 February 2016. The second stage took place at the Bouznika stud farm on 20 February and the third at the El Jadida stud farm. As for the fourth stage, it will take place at the Oujda stud farm on 2 March, before closing this edition at the Marrakech stud farm, which will host the final stage on 12 March 2016. These open days aim to restore the horse to its place in the Kingdom, by making the sector a true lever for economic and social development. In this context, Omar Skalli, Director General of Sorec, stressed the importance of organising such an event, indicating that the JPO Sorec aim to offer breeders the space and opportunity to learn equine reproduction techniques, while providing them with the information and services that it makes available to them for a better return on the use of the horse.

Furthermore, Sorec is taking advantage of this edition to better explain and communicate to breeders about the organisation and conduct of breeding competitions, the preparation of horses, and their judging and appraisal. "The JPO allow Sorec to ensure better supervision of horse breeders, by raising their awareness of best practices in the field of breeding, particularly in terms of welfare, health, environment, and equine reproduction," he indicated. He added: "In parallel, an awareness-raising caravan, closer to breeders in rural areas, will cross the regions of Morocco and will observe more than 21 stages in the form of a village. This awareness-raising action will begin on 13 March in Sebt Gzoula and will close on 3 May in Sidi Kacem". For his part, the Director of the El Jadida national stud farm, Mohammed Oussidhoum, gave a broad presentation where he recounted all the activities of his service across the four provinces under his jurisdiction. He also noted that equine breeding is of crucial importance in the region, given its socio-economic role and its cultural reach.