Agriculture. More than 480 participants, including camel breeders, farmers, authorities, and partners took part to the 6th stop of Phosboucraa Agricultural Caravan that was from 3rd to 5th of April at the city of Assa in the province of Assa-Zag, in the region of Guelmim-Oued Noun. The edition of Assa was marked by the organization of two new events : 2 days master-classes and a contest for selecting the most performant dromedaries. These two events were definitely the most important for participants to Phosboucraa caravan.

Hosted by national and international professors and experts, these master classes benefited 65 breeders from all over  Guelmim-Oued Noun region. A privileged opportunity for them to interact with experts and have their feedback and recommendations on specific topics related to their daily needs, such as the breeding management system and the valorization of camel products, especially meat and camel milk. In two groups, participants benefited from four thematic sessions covering "Animal nutrition", "Feeding and farm management", "Health & reproduction" and "Camel milk & meat valorization". Moreover and to encourage breeders to adopt good breeding practices, a successful camel selection contest was launched with trophy prizes for best "breeders”, “dairy camels, chameleons” and “herds”.

Australian experience...
Presented by Dr. Rafat Al Jassim of Queensland University, the Australian experience has attracted the attention of breeders and farmers, demonstrating their openness to other practices and horizons. An intervention in which the Australian Professor has introduced the camel farming in Australia, including the origin of dromedaries, their biology, their feeding behavior, their digestive system, the meat valuation along milk production and valorization  as well as racing dromedaries.

... and Moroccan!
Professor Abdelilah Araba of Hassan II Agronomic and Veterinary Institute of Rabat (IAV) discussed with participants the food supplement for dromedary. A topic that includes food needs, food sources, and industrial compound foods. Dr. Abdelmalek Sghiri, veterinary doctor and professor at the IAV, discussed with the breeders the main dromedary pathologies. He also addressed the issue of pregnancy monitoring, postnatal phase success, and some important diseases (diagnoses, symptoms, treatments and preventions).

Valorization of camel products was also an important component during the caravan. Professor Mohamed Zahar of IAV explored with the breeders the possibilities of camel milk valorization, another novelty of this edition. Principal virtues and composition of this milk were highlighted, in addition to pasteurization methods and milk processing into dairy products such as yoghurt and cheese. Finally, the farmers and breeders invited to meet meat expert Ahmed Daoudi of ERFA Academy Koutoubia Mohammedia. Specializing in meat processing, he presented the industrial process of the transformation of camel meat, the quality of this meat and its modern industrial uses, before closing its intervention by a training in meat trades.