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Morocco World
23-05-2025
- Science
- Morocco World
Morocco's ANDZOA Chief Calls for Urgent Action to Protect Argan, Oases Ecosystems
Ouarzazate — As Morocco grapples with the mounting impacts of climate change, the National Agency for the Development of Oasis and Argan Zones (ANDZOA) is sounding the alarm about the urgent need to protect two of the country's most fragile yet economically vital ecosystems. In an interview with Morocco World News (MWN), ANDZOA Director Latifa Yaacoubi painted a stark picture of the challenges facing Morocco's argan forests and oasis communities, while outlining her agency's comprehensive strategy to build resilience against an uncertain climatic future. 'Climate change is truly a scourge in these two ecosystems – argan and oases,' Yaacoubi said. 'We experience it, we observe it in the field, as does the local population living in these two ecosystems.' Since its establishment in 2012, ANDZOA has been tasked with what Yaacoubi describes as the delicate balance of 'reconciling two essential objectives.' The agency promotes sustainable development while preserving these unique biospheres that are home to millions of Moroccans and represent significant economic potential for the country. A collaborative approach to conservation ANDZOA's mission extends beyond direct intervention to fostering collaboration across Morocco's research and academic institutions. Rather than conducting research independently, ANDZOA works closely with partners, including the National Institute of Agricultural Research (INRA), the Hassan II Agronomic and Veterinary Institute (IAV), and various universities to establish priority research programs. 'We must accompany and support scientific research with our partners,' Yaacoubi explained, stressing the importance of ensuring that research outcomes directly complement the agency's development programs on the ground. This collaborative spirit extends to ANDZOA's signature events, including the International Argan Congress, held every two years since 2011, and the International Dates Food Salon, which incorporates a significant scientific component. The agency is now planning to establish a dedicated scientific event for date palms, alternating with the argan congress every two years. Climate projections paint troubling picture The urgency of ANDZOA's mission becomes clear when considering the climate projections for Morocco's southern regions. Yaacoubi outlined a troubling forecast of 'less rainfall, fewer water resources, and increasingly rising temperatures' — conditions that will only compound the existing vulnerability of these delicate ecosystems. 'The fragility of these ecosystems makes them even more vulnerable and also makes the local population more vulnerable,' she noted. This vulnerability creates a cascading effect where environmental degradation directly threatens the livelihoods of communities that have depended on these ecosystems for generations. Prevention over reaction Perhaps most critically, Yaacoubi spoke of ANDZOA's strategy that centers on anticipation rather than merely responding to climate impacts after they occur. 'We must anticipate these climate changes,' she stressed. 'All the programs we are setting up with our partners, whether national or international, go in this direction — how to preserve what we have today and how to make it more resilient.' This forward-thinking approach represents a shift from traditional conservation models that often focus on damage control to one that seeks to build systemic resilience before catastrophic changes take hold. Integrated development strategy ANDZOA's work is characterized by what Yaacoubi calls an 'integrated program' that requires coordination across all relevant government departments and the pooling of both human and financial resources. This holistic approach recognizes that the challenges facing Morocco's argan and oasis zones cannot be addressed in isolation but require coordinated action across multiple sectors. The agency's strategy acknowledges that these ecosystems face multiple, interconnected pressures. Beyond climate change, factors such as desertification, water scarcity, and economic pressures on local communities all contribute to the degradation of these environments. A race against time ANDZOA's mission has taken on added urgency in recent years as Morocco has continued to experience more frequent droughts and extreme weather events. The argan forests of southwestern Morocco and the palm oases scattered across the country's arid regions represent not just environmental treasures but also crucial economic lifelines for rural communities. The argan tree, found nowhere else in the world, supports a thriving cosmetics and culinary industry, while the date palm oases provide food security and economic opportunity in some of Morocco's most marginalized regions. Yaacoubi's awareness-raising comments come as Morocco prepares to host various international climate conferences and continues to position itself as a leader in renewable energy and climate adaptation. For her, ANDZOA's work represents a crucial test case for how developing nations can balance economic development with environmental preservation in an era of accelerating climate change. He believes that the success or failure of efforts to protect Morocco's argan and oasis ecosystems may well serve as a bellwether for similar conservation challenges across North Africa and the broader developing world. 'We must all redouble our efforts,' Yaacoubi concluded, stressing that the scale of the climate challenge requires unprecedented coordination and commitment from all stakeholders. Tags: ANDZOAargan treesclimate changeOases
Morocco World
22-05-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
International Congress Tackles Oases, Date Palm Survival Amid Climate Change Challenges
Ouarzazate — The second International Congress on Oases and Date Palm opened today in Ouarzazate, bringing together policymakers, researchers, and agricultural experts to address the mounting challenges facing these ancient ecosystems. The two-day gathering runs under the theme 'Resilience and Adaptation of Oases Ecosystems to Global Changes,' focusing on the urgent need to protect these vital agricultural systems from climate threats and desertification. Latifa Yaacoubi, Director of Morocco's National Agency for the Development of Oasis and Argan Tree Zones (ANDZOA), delivered a speech during the inauguration ceremony of the congress by recalling King Mohammed VI's commitment to oases development. 'Morocco's oases cover 90,000 hectares and represent diverse natural treasures that form distinctive natural ecosystems,' she said. Yaacoubi explained that these areas face unprecedented challenges. 'Today, these local communities face unprecedented challenges,' she noted, adding that they 'create an imbalance in the environmental, economic, and social factors that have sustained them.' The director referred to Morocco's ambitious expansion plans under the Green Morocco Strategy, which includes planting 5 million new date palm trees alongside rehabilitating traditional oases. Significant progress already made Morocco has already achieved substantial results in oases development. The country has planted over 3 million date palm trees, with 2 million specifically dedicated to rehabilitating traditional oases, according to Yaacoubi. She noted that this effort has created storage and processing facilities handling approximately 10% of national production. The ministry has implemented comprehensive support programs for oases through various revolutionary initiatives, she explained, providing technical support and modern technology to farmers. Research drives innovation Morocco's National Institute for Agricultural Research has made significant breakthroughs in oases agriculture. 'The efforts have resulted in encouraging achievements, especially through the National Institute for Agricultural Research in cooperation with institutions,' Yaacoubi said. She outlined four key research areas, namely cataloging plant and animal genetic resources according to scientific standards while preserving threatened varieties, developing disease and pest control techniques, improving livestock production, and enhancing product processing methods and technologies. Global experts share solutions The congress features presentations from international specialists addressing different aspects of oases development. Saudi Arabia's Saud Al-Rowaily discussed 'Oases and Desertification Threat: Opportunities and Challenges,' while Morocco's Amrani Mohamed examined Development Model Transformations in North African Oasis Regions. French expert Alain Cariou presented on Environmental and Climate Change Challenges in Arid Zones, and ICARDA's Aly Abousabaa outlined strategies for 'Transforming deserts and oases into thriving agricultural systems.' Challenges garner international response Yaacoubi stressed that oases' challenges extend beyond Morocco's borders. 'The major challenges we face cannot be overcome through isolated efforts,' she said. 'The nature of these challenges requires confronting them within a global framework, where they are not linked to a specific geographical region, but are general phenomena that call for international cooperation.' She referenced Morocco's leadership in launching the Sustainable Oases Initiative during COP22 in Marrakech in 2016, which aims to enhance recognition of oases' importance and mobilize necessary resources for their protection. Preserving agricultural heritage Morocco's Ministry of Agriculture has worked extensively to organize producers and farmers in mountainous and rural areas, Yaacoubi noted, while involving rural women in all development operations and establishing specialized educational institutions. Morocco has successfully classified several oases as Global Important Agricultural Heritage Systems under the Food and Agriculture Organization. The country has also developed a national program dedicated to this heritage within a comprehensive sustainable development framework. Looking towards the future 'The situation that oases are experiencing pushes us all to work seriously to advance these ecosystems, through an integrated vision aimed at achieving comprehensive and sustainable development,' Yaacoubi concluded. The congress continues tomorrow with additional sessions focusing on practical solutions for ensuring oases sustainability and improving living conditions for local populations while preserving these unique ecosystems for future generations. Tags: ANDZOAclimate changedate palmMoroccoOases
