After obtaining his degree in Applied Mathematics from the Faculty of Sciences in Rabat, as well as a degree in Information Systems Analysis from the National School of Computer Science and Systems Analysis (ENSIAS), began his career in 1993 at the Office Chérifien des Phosphates as an Information Systems Analyst. In 2002, he joined Morocco Foodex as Head of the Information Systems Division. In 2008, he obtained his Advanced Management Cycle diploma from the Higher Institute of Commerce and Business Administration (ISCAE) in Casablanca. He was then promoted to Head of the Studies and Prospective Department, responsible for studies and the establishment of an intelligence unit. Building on his experience, he was in charge of setting up and developing the strategic intelligence system of Morocco Foodex. Since 2018, he has held the position of Head of the Intelligence Department. He is also a PhD researcher at the Faculty of Legal, Economic and Social Sciences of Ain Chock, Hassan II University of Casablanca. His research focuses on Moroccan agri-food exporting companies facing the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism.

Ph.D. Prometeo Sanchez-Garcia, is an international agricultural consultant specializing in soil fertility, plant nutrition, and agricultural engineering. He holds a Master’s and a Doctorate in Agricultural Sciences.
Following a distinguished 30-year career as a Professor-Researcher (1993–2024) at a leading Agricultural Postgraduate Institution, he now advises premier fruit and vegetable companies globally. His expertise focuses on maximizing crop productivity, precision fertigation, and mitigating abiotic stress in high-value crops, particularly avocados and berries.
 

After obtaining his PhD in Plant Biology from the University of California, Davis, in 1994, he joined the IHSM La Mayora (CSIC–University of Málaga) in 2000 and became Research Professor in 2009. His research focuses on genetic diversity, germplasm conservation, and reproductive biology in temperate and subtropical fruit crops.
He has coordinated over 50 national and international research projects and more than 60 industry contracts, resulting in over 200 publications (170+ in SCI journals) and 130 invited lectures worldwide. His work has advanced the understanding of reproductive barriers affecting fruit production and the characterization and conservation of fruit crop germplasm. Through collaborations with researchers in low- and middle-income countries, his research has also contributed to improving smallholder agriculture and rural livelihoods.

Ben Faber has research experience in irrigation, pest management, plant nutrition and soil management.  Current research on irrigation requirements of avocado and citrus, methods of controlling groundwater nitrate/pesticide pollution, effects of yardwaste mulches on avocado/citrus production, pest control in avocado/citrus, new crops/rootstocks/varieties evaluation and various methods for controlling micronutrient deficiencies in subtropical tree crops are  all ongoing studies. He works along the California coast where many different subtropical crops are grown with poor water quality and truly difficult irrigating conditions.
 

He started his career in 1990 at the Agricultural Research Council of South Africa, where he worked on the white coffee stemborer, leading to the completion of his master's degree in 1994. He then focused on the banana weevil, and together with his wife, developed a mycoinsecticide (Broadband), which is still marketed by BASF, primarily in South Africa and Australia.
In 2005, he began working on the sucking bug complexes affecting avocados and macadamias, research that led to the completion of his PhD in 2009. In 2017, he briefly joined the citrus industry as Plant Quarantine Manager before returning to the subtropical fruit sector, joining the South African Macadamia Association (SAMAC), where he worked for four years.
For the past three years, he has been providing Integrated Pest Management (IPM) consulting services, primarily to corporate clients. In addition, the Malawi Macadamia Association has commissioned his team to develop a comprehensive IPM handbook for macadamia production, scheduled for completion by September this year.

Chilean Agronomist who founded GVCAgro in 2008, a consulting company to develop avocados and citrus farms. Currently this company works in Chile, Perú, Colombia, Morocco, Kenia, Spain and Portugal improving Avocado and Citrus orchards and developing new projects. In 2020 founded VGV (https://allpabio.cl/), a chilean company specializing in Microbial Consortia and Biofertilzers to improve orchards under stress conditions reducing the application of chemical fertilizers by enhancing living soil. I+D and consulting for various companies such as Bayer, Sumitomo Chemicals, Compo Experts, Adama, Stoller and CASEM. Development of new techniques for avocados called Floral Nutrition, Plant Growth Regulators and Multi Axis Pruning. Exhibitor at many Seminars and Avocado Congress in Chile, Colombia, México, Spain and Morocco. Columnist for the newspaper El Mercurio, Avobook website and Guest Panelist on TV Program“Agenda Agrícola” in Chile.

Jaime Mendizabal is a sales leader with 19 years of experience in the technology sector. With a background in Industrial Engineering, he has developed an international career spanning sales management, key account development, and after-sales operations. Over the past 11 years, he has served as Sales Director at Maf Roda, driving commercial growth and building long-term customer partnerships. Combining strong technical expertise with a strategic and customer-centric mindset, Jaime has a proven track record of delivering sustainable business results in international environments.

Fernando Dupuis Grawe is a fresh produce expert and specialized journalist leading rioescalda.com. Based at the heart of European fresh logistics since 2009, he brings 17 years of hands-on operational and strategic experience across the supply chain. His trajectory spans quality management across the port terminals of Rotterdam and Antwerp to strategic sourcing for major European importers such as Greenyard, Exsa Europe, and Olympic Fruit. A recognized specialist in tropical produce and avocado import flows, Fernando combines technical expertise in quality control and maritime logistics with sharp operational analysis of European destination markets.

 

Dr. Manosalva is an Associate Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology at the University of California, Riverside (UCR), and Director of the UCR Avocado Rootstock Breeding Program. She is an internationally recognized scientist whose research bridges plant pathology, molecular biology, genetics, genomics, and plant breeding. Her research focuses on developing next-generation avocado rootstocks with enhanced resistance to Phytophthora cinnamomi, tolerance to water stress, and adaptation to other constraints that limit crop productivity. Through the integration of fundamental science, genomic-assisted breeding, and applied agricultural innovation, Dr. Manosalva is helping shape the future of sustainable avocado production and strengthening the resilience of the global avocado industry.

I am the son of two pioneers in Moroccan agricultural exports, Larbi Chaib and Lamia Benaissa, who have both passed away. I honor their memory with deep gratitude and pride, while continuing the path they helped to establish in the agricultural and export sector.

I completed my studies in Business Administration in Spain, where I developed a strong background in management, international trade, and business strategy.

My professional career began in 2008 alongside my mother, Lamia Benaissa, founder of Mavoca. Together, we were among the pioneers in exporting Moroccan avocados to European markets.

Over the years, I have gained extensive experience both in the field, working closely with farms and agricultural operations, and in international commercial activities. This combination of hands-on and commercial experience has given me a comprehensive understanding of the entire supply chain, from production and quality to marketing and export.

Today, I rely on extensive knowledge of international markets and a diverse portfolio of clients across Europe and the United Kingdom.

My goal is to continue developing a business built on quality, trust, close relationships with growers, and long-term commercial partnerships, while contributing to the continued growth and recognition of Moroccan avocados in international markets.

Emilio Guirado Sánchez is an Agricultural Engineer and specialist in subtropical fruit production, with more than 35 years of experience in research, agricultural experimentation, production, and technical advisory services, particularly in avocado, mango, and cherimoya cultivation.
His career includes work with pioneering plantations, public research institutions, and leading companies in the agricultural sector. Since 2005, he has been working at IHSM “La Mayora” (CSIC-UMA), where he has contributed to agricultural experimentation activities.
He has also worked as a technical advisor in Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, Greece, and Morocco, in addition to undertaking technical visits across the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Oceania.
His expertise covers varieties, rootstocks, plant nutrition, irrigation, pruning, pests, and diseases. He has delivered more than 20 training courses, published over 50 technical and scientific works, and participated as a speaker in more than 60 events.

Dr. Nabil EL JAOUHARI holds a PhD in Agricultural Engineering and specializes in water engineering, bioclimatology, and plant physiology. He is an Agricultural Engineer graduate of the Hassan II Institute of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine (IAV), holds a Master’s degree in Innovation Marketing from the University of Lorraine, and a PhD in Water and Environmental Engineering from the Faculty of Sciences and ENA Meknes. He has nearly 18 years of experience at the intersection of scientific research, agricultural technologies, and sustainable resource management.

Currently Technical Director at Natura Maroc and an international consultant and trainer, he is a recognized expert in smart irrigation management, agricultural telemetry, plant nutrition, and the adaptation of agricultural systems to climate change.

He has led and contributed to several national and international research projects, including the European PRIMA and Irriqual programs, and has designed irrigation warning systems for various institutions and agricultural cooperatives.

Author of numerous scientific publications and communications, he also works as a part-time lecturer and trainer for professionals, agricultural advisors, and future engineers.