On Monday, December 9, 2019, Mr. Aziz Akhannouch, Minister of Agriculture, Marine Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forestry, presided over the graduation ceremony held at the Horticultural Complex in Agadir. The ceremony honored the graduates of the 2018-2019 academic year, and it was attended by the Wali of the Souss Massa Region, the President of the Regional Chamber of Agriculture, industry professionals, institutional representatives, faculty members, students, parents, and several academic figures.
The number of graduates from this cohort, including doctoral students, engineers, veterinary doctors, master's graduates, and specialized technicians, totaled 437, with 33 of them being international students. Among these graduates, 100 received their training at the Horticultural Complex in Agadir, while 337 were trained at the IAV Hassan II Campus in Rabat.
During the ceremony, which brought together nearly 1500 attendees, the Minister visited various facilities within the campus. He inaugurated the Horticulture Center of Excellence and launched the Agribusiness Incubator project. Additionally, he inaugurated the Institute of Specialized Technicians in Horticulture, which provides vocational training in multiple agricultural specialties to meet market demands and support the development of the agricultural sector.
The Agadir Horticulture Center of Excellence (CEH) is a world-class high-tech facility dedicated to scientific research and technological innovation. Its objectives include:
-Providing support mechanisms for farmers to overcome agricultural challenges.
-Equipping producers with the latest advancements in precision agriculture techniques to enhance their yields and crop quality.
-Offering comprehensive end-to-end agricultural projects, high-tech greenhouse services, and turnkey solutions, all supported by the CHA's team of scientists and researchers.
-Designing optimal growing conditions to minimize crop losses.
-Establishing a demonstration platform for more cost-effective horticultural techniques, resulting in higher yields while saving significant amounts of water, fertilizers, and energy.
The incubator, named the Agadir Innovation Hub, is an entity that supports and fosters the creation of businesses in the agro-technology, water, and sustainability sectors. Its mission is to promote innovative agricultural enterprises for resilient and eco-efficient farming. The main focus of the incubator is to assist innovative and technological projects, catering to both early-stage ventures and companies seeking growth and development. It emphasizes the importance of diversity in innovation, the creation of unique and sustainable solutions, and the generation of high-quality business opportunities.
