HIBAPRESS – W.A.M.
The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forests, Ahmed Bouari, confirmed on Friday in Zagora that the oasis areas constitute environmental, heritage and cultural systems capable of promoting socio-economic development.
Bouari explained, in a speech during the opening of the first session of the National Oasis Forum, the importance of these areas, especially in terms of the diversity of economic activities, job opportunities, and the richness of agricultural products with high added value that they provide. In the context of developing these vital areas, the minister highlighted that the ministry has worked on preparing and implementing several projects within the framework of the Green Morocco Plan and the "Green Generation" strategy, with the aim of preserving oasis ecosystems and promoting sustainable development based on the human element. Among the most important programs and structured projects launched by the ministry, Mr. Bouari mentioned the national program to plant 5 million palm trees by 2030, the valuation and mobilization of water resources, hydro-agricultural development, solidarity agriculture projects, the valorization of local products, support and follow-up of professional organizations, and encouraging scientific research in the field of dates chains and production chains related to oases. The minister also pointed out that the Draa-Tafilalt region, which contributes 85% of the national date production, constitutes a strategic agricultural and oasis hub, rich in natural resources and a social and cultural heritage that reflects the diversity of Moroccan identity. At the level of the Zagora province, palm oases extend over an area of 26,000 hectares along the Draa and M'aider rivers, highlighting that these ecosystems face major challenges, including climate change, socio-economic transformations, and fluctuations in national and international markets. In this context, an integrated territorial approach has been adopted at the provincial level, through the launch of several projects that include various agricultural chains, the minister added, referring to the efforts made by the sector, especially the distribution of laboratory seedlings to farmers, equipping more than 24,000 hectares with drip irrigation systems, preparing irrigation circuits, and valuing various oasis products. Bouari noted that the National Oasis Forum constitutes an opportunity to highlight the projects and initiatives aimed at developing the oasis areas, in accordance with the high royal directives contained in the royal speech delivered by His Majesty the King on the occasion of the opening of the autumn session of Parliament on October 10, 2025. He stressed that this speech constitutes a roadmap that highlights the importance of developing and rehabilitating oases and mountainous areas, improving the living conditions of their inhabitants, with special attention to areas that suffer from great fragility, taking into account their specificities and the nature of their needs. The organization of the first session of the National Oasis Forum, which is organized by the province of Zagora in partnership, in particular, with the Rural Affairs Department of the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forests, and the National Agency for the Development of Oasis and Argan Trees, falls within the framework of a dynamic aimed at supporting the development of oasis areas and strengthening production chains, especially the date chain. This event, organized under the slogan "Oases, Stakes of Sustainability and Human Development", aims to enhance the radiance of the oasis sector and its products, and to create a space for communication and exchange of experiences between various actors, as well as to encourage the marketing of local oasis products. This event, organized over three days, represents a platform for cooperatives, associations and local producers to display and market their products, in addition to enhancing the technical and managerial capabilities of farmers.
