On the occasion of the 48th anniversary of the victorious Green March, the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development, Water, and Forests, and President of the Moroccan Federation of Olmas Cattle Breeders, Zair, presided on Thursday, November 2, 2023, over the official launch of the events for the seventh edition of the Olmas Forum for Local Development, under the slogan: “Promoting Cultural Heritage to Revitalize Local Development.”
The forum, organized by the Olmas Municipal Council in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development, Water, and Forests, was attended by a significant number of government officials, parliamentarians, presidents and members of the Rabat-Salé-Kénitra Regional Council, municipal council presidents, elected officials, and regional and local civil society representatives.
The minister, accompanied by the president of the Oulmès Municipal Council and the president of the Moroccan Federation of Oulmès-Zaïr Breeders, Mr. Mohamed Achrouro; the Governor of the Khemisset Province, Members of Parliament Imad Al-Rifi and Rahou Lhila, and a group of community council presidents from the PAM-led councils in the province, to visit the Olmas-Zaïr cattle barns; where they were given detailed explanations about this distinguished breed, known nationally as the “Oulmas-Zamour-Zaïr,” which are indigenous local cattle possessing numerous characteristics that make them a unique asset and heritage to which the inhabitants of many regions of the Atlas Mountains, and particularly the Khemisset region, have become attached.
This indigenous breed of cattle, recognized as a native breed in 1982, is characterized by its robust build and remarkable ability to adapt to harsh climatic conditions. and is known for the quality of its meat and milk, which has made it a standout since the dawn of the Kingdom’s independence. This has also encouraged farmers in Morocco to raise this native breed of cattle since ancient times.
The forum aims to promote the Amazigh cultural heritage and the region’s natural attractions.
The forum featured a variety of activities, including equestrian competitions and an exhibition of agricultural products unique to the region, such as “al-khazama” and natural and aromatic plants. It also included a competition to select cows of the renowned Olmas Za’ir breed, as well as efforts to encourage and provide financial support to local herders.
Olmas—Edited by: Khadija Al-Rahali / Photography by: Yassin Al-Zahrawi
