The All Africa Horticultural Congress (AAHC) is the most important scientific event organized every four years in the field of Horticulture in Africa under the auspices of the International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS).
Morocco was assigned the organization of the 5th edition of this Congress and this will be the first time such event will be held in North Africa. The previous four AAHCs took place in Kenya in 2009, South Africa in 2012, Nigeria in 2016 and Senegal in 2021, corresponding to East Africa, South Africa, Central Africa, and Western Africa, respectively.
The development of Horticulture in Africa is one of the main tools that can help ensure food security. It can also improve agricultural productivity and increase the competitiveness of agricultural products, strengthen its contribution to the overall wellbeing of the population, improve dietary and nutritional behavior, create wealth, alleviate hunger, and reduce dependency on food imports.
In Morocco, Agriculture contributes, on average, 13% to Morocco's GDP and employs about 40% of the nation's workforce.
The country has several agro-climatic regions including 3,500 km of Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts, temperate in the north, semi-arid in the center and arid-to-desert in the south with somewhat mild/cold in the higher altitudes of the Atlas Mountains and, thus, produces a great diversity of agricultural products, including horticultural crops such as fruits, vegetables, medicinal and aromatic species, flowers, and ornamental plants. These are produced mainly in open field but crops such as tomatoes, pepper, berries, banana, and flowers are also produced under plastic-covered greenhouses.
Most of the production is for the domestic market but a significant percentage, particularly fruits, vegetables and flowers, goes to export markets, including Africa, Europe, and North America. Morocco is the first larger exporter of berries and third larger exporter of tomatoes worldwide.
Operators of the horticultural sector are all private. Small-scale growers are also an important milestone of the system. They contribute to the export activities through organized cooperatives and associations.
"Unlocking the potential of a resilient Horticulture in Africa" is the theme of the 5th AAHC, with the objective to discuss and promote the huge potential of African Horticulture.
The event will provide a platform for professionals, researchers, young scientists, and entrepreneurs, where they can share their research results, experiences, and latest innovations. It will be an occasion to create new and consolidate and expand ongoing networks of technical cooperation between professionals in horticulture throughout Africa and the rest of the world. Young and more experienced scientists will have ample opportunities to interact and explore scientific and technical exchanges and partnerships for research and development initiatives.
In addition, the Congress will raise and discuss aspects related to the impact of climate change, invasive diseases and pests and other biotic and abiotic stresses on current and future horticulture and its resilience.
Furthermore, socio-economic and financial aspects related to food security, market issues, best use, and management of natural resources in the field will be tackled. Themes, such as contribution of horticulture to overall wellbeing, wealth creation, alleviating poverty, empowering youth, and women will also be discussed.
Abstract submission and registration are open!
