ICARDA Advances Oasis and Desert Agriculture in Morocco
Ouarzazate, Morocco | May 22, 2025 – ICARDA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Morocco’s National Agency for the Development of Oasis Zones and the Argan Tree (ANDZOA) and the National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA) to establish collaborative research and development platforms in Morocco’s oasis and desert regions.
The MoU was signed by Mr. Aly Abousabaa, Director General of ICARDA, Ms. Latifa Yaacoubi, Director General of ANDZOA, and Pr. Lamiae Ghaouti, Director of INRA, during the 2nd International Congress on Oases and Date Palm, held under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI and launched by the Ministry of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forests (MAPMDREF) in Morocco.
This initiative comes at a pivotal moment for Morocco’s arid and semi-arid regions, which make up about 65% of the country, 710,850 km², with 40% falling under ANDZOA’s mandate. While these areas hold vast agroecological potential and natural wealth, they remain largely underused. Despite notable progress in governance, economic development, and environmental awareness, a few challenges persist, such as conserving natural resources, developing climate-resilient food systems, and safeguarding fragile desert and oasis ecosystems.
Addressing these interconnected issues requires a holistic, integrated, and inclusive approach that links sustainable resource management with food security, nutrition, and long-term resilience.
The newly signed MoU answers this call. By bringing together the complementary expertise of ICARDA, INRA, and ANDZOA, the agreement sets the foundation for applied research tailored to local realities. It supports the development of innovative agro-silvo-pastoral systems, such as those centered around Morocco’s argan biosphere, and aims to position Morocco as a regional leader in oasis and desert innovation.
"By working together with INRA and ANDZOA, we are building a much stronger framework of collaboration that focuses on bringing the latest innovations from across the globe for drylands and oasis development into Morocco, supporting farmers to deal with the impacts of climate change and building better livelihoods," said Mr. Aly Abousabaa.
The agreement lays the groundwork for a global research and development platform and a joint program to advance agricultural and rural development in Morocco’s desert and oasis areas. It focuses on launching practical, locally relevant projects, empowering communities, particularly women and youth, and mobilizing both national and international support. It also includes plans to build or upgrade research stations in key areas and encourages the sharing of knowledge, innovations, and hands-on expertise among partners.
Pr. Lamiae Ghaouti, Director of INRA, further highlighted the partnership’s potential to position Morocco as a regional hub for innovation and strengthen South-South collaboration across North Africa, the Middle East, and the Sahel.
The Mou, signed on the sidelines of a high-level international forum on climate adaptation in oasis ecosystems, underscores the urgent need for collaborative, climate-smart solutions.
Through this tripartite effort, ICARDA and its partners reaffirm their commitment to building resilient agricultural systems that support livelihoods and biodiversity in the world’s driest areas.