COP31: Morocco Showcases Its 10,000-Hectare Arganiculture Programme in Antalya

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Morocco has showcased its experience in sustainable argan cultivation and climate change adaptation at COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye, highlighting the achievements of a national programme covering 10,000 hectares and its contribution to environmental protection and rural development.

The results were presented on Thursday during a workshop organised by the Agricultural Development Agency (ADA) on the sidelines of the international climate conference. A delegation from the National Agency for the Development of Oasis Zones and Argan Trees (ANDZOA) outlined the progress made through the programme and shared the lessons learned from its implementation.

A National Programme Combining Agriculture and Climate Resilience

Abdelouahed Bouayad, Director of Argan Zone Development at ANDZOA, and Abderrahmane Aitlhaj, President of the International Argan Centre, presented the Moroccan experience as an approach designed to strengthen the resilience of fragile ecosystems while supporting local communities.

The programme is based on a participatory framework involving public institutions, civil society organisations, professional bodies, associations representing local rights holders and farmers operating in argan-growing areas.

This collaborative approach has helped translate environmental objectives into concrete field operations, while encouraging local stakeholders to participate directly in the management and development of their natural resources.

10,000 Hectares Planted and More Than 125 Water-Harvesting Structures Built

Among the programme's main achievements is the establishment of argan plantations across 10,000 hectares. The initiative has also supported the construction of more than 125 structures designed to collect rainwater, helping improve water management in areas increasingly exposed to climatic pressures.

Beyond infrastructure and planting activities, the programme has invested in strengthening local capacities and supporting beneficiaries, including both men and women involved in the argan sector.

These interventions aim to improve the sustainability of agricultural practices while reinforcing the ability of rural communities to cope with changing environmental conditions.

Scientific Research Supports Innovation and Carbon Storage

Research and innovation have also played an important role in the programme. ANDZOA has provided support to Morocco's National Institute of Agronomic Research (INRA) through a dedicated scientific partnership focusing on argan cultivation techniques and climate-related solutions.

With a budget of 5 million dirhams, the partnership has financed studies examining the most effective methods for planting argan trees, alongside research into carbon storage and sequestration.

The scientific component is intended to strengthen the technical foundations of arganiculture and explore its potential contribution to climate mitigation, particularly through the role of tree-based ecosystems in capturing atmospheric carbon.

Women's Cooperatives at the Heart of Rural Development

The programme's impact extends beyond environmental protection. Its implementation has also contributed to strengthening the organisation of the argan value chain, supporting professional structures and improving opportunities for local economic development.

Women's cooperatives have received particular attention, reflecting their important contribution to the production and processing of argan-based products. By supporting these organisations, the programme seeks to expand economic opportunities for rural women and improve the livelihoods of communities that depend on the sector.

The development of a more structured argan industry is also expected to reinforce the economic value of this natural resource while encouraging more sustainable management practices.

Morocco Shares Its Climate Adaptation Experience at COP31

ANDZOA's participation in COP31 provided an opportunity to present Morocco's experience to international experts and conference participants, placing the argan tree at the centre of discussions on ecosystem preservation and climate resilience.

The programme illustrates how the protection and development of native tree species can contribute simultaneously to environmental conservation, sustainable agricultural production and the economic empowerment of rural populations.

The initiative receives financial support from the Green Climate Fund through a partnership involving the Agricultural Development Agency and several national stakeholders.

Through this programme, Morocco is highlighting the potential of arganiculture as an integrated development model, linking scientific research, water management, biodiversity protection and inclusive economic growth.