“Tiram N'Igran": a gourmet event to promote local, sustainable agriculture in Ghassate, Morocco.

On November 28, the Moroccan commune of Ghassate hosted an event organized by Agrisud, the Norsys Foundation and several partners : ORMVAO1, the commune of Ghassate and the ISTAHT training institute.

This initiative highlighted agro-ecology through a farm visit and culinary tasting, with the aim of creating links between family farms and economic operators.

Ghassate : sustainable agriculture serving the local economy 

The Ghassate region has been undergoing agro-ecological transition for the past ten years, with the support of Agrisud International, the Norsys Foundation and ORMVAO. 

Over 700 family farms have strengthened their activity by adopting agro-ecological practices. The one-day event is part of a multi-actor collaboration dynamic, connecting family farms with economic operators such as chefs, hotel-restaurant managers, supermarket managers and agricultural cooperatives. 

From field to plate : immersion in agricultural practices and rediscovery of local flavors 

The event, which attracted over sixty participants, included an immersive “from field to plate” tour to discover sustainable farming practices, as well as local gastronomy through traditional dishes revisited. 

The ISTAHT - Institut Spécialisé de Technologie Appliquée Hôtelière et Touristique de Ouarzazate - mobilized 24 students to work in pairs with women producers to prepare dishes based on products from agro-ecological farms. This inter-generational collaboration showcased traditional culinary skills while raising awareness of the importance of sustainable, local food.

During this time, participants visited a mixed crop-livestock farm, where they were able to discuss with farmers the techniques employed and the benefits derived from agro-ecology. This in-situ visit offered a concrete illustration of this agricultural model based on diversification, strengthening both economic resilience and environmental sustainability. 

At the end of the visit, everyone gathered for a tasting of the dishes prepared by the young hospitality students and the women farmers. Participants enjoyed the recipes, which highlighted the freshness and quality of the agro-ecological products used. Catalogs presenting the fresh produce on offer from the farms were also distributed to encourage the establishment of partnerships between the agro-ecological farms and the economic operators present. 

This first edition of the “Tiram N'Igran” gave greater visibility to agro-ecological products and established relationships to develop their marketing in the commune of Ghassate. See you next year! 

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¹ Ouarzazate Regional Agricultural Development Office (ORMVAO)

² Ouarzazate Specialized Institute of Applied Hotel and Tourism Technology (ISTAHT)