Argan-based agro-sylvo-pastoral system within the area of Ait Souab - Ait Mansour
GIAHS since 2018
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The agro-forestry-pastoral system in Ait Souab-Ait Mansour is a unique region where argan trees have been cultivated for centuries. This system is based on agroforestry practices in dry stone terraces being highly resilient to arid environment, water scarcity and poor soils. It uses only locally adapted species and pastoralism activities and relies on a traditional water management provided by the Matifiya - a rain water reservoir carved into rock.
The Amazigh indigenous communities as well as communities of Arab origin have developed a specific culture and identity sharing their traditional knowledge and skills. Although farmers earn the majority of their income from the cultivation of argan trees, the integrated system also provides them with other food and material such as staple crops, cereals, fire wood, meat and wool.
News
Five plants hidden in our everyday lives
Today, on the International day of Argania, we celebrate argan, one of these wild plants with significant benefits to our biodiversity, food security and livelihoods.
FAO welcomes the International UN International Day of Argania
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS) Programme welcomes the UN General Assembly's resolution adopting May 10th as the International Day of Argania. The UN resolution, submitted by Morocco, was co-sponsored by 113 member states of the United Nations and adopted by consensus.
UN International Day of Argania 10 May
In 2021, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 10 May the International Day of Argania. The resolution, submitted by Morocco, was co-sponsored by 113 member states of the United Nations and adopted by consensus.
GIAHS site representatives from China, Japan, Peru, Morocco, Spain and Tanzania shared their experiences and challenges on the sustainable use of natural resources as well as the types and functions of their ecosystem services. They explored how GIAHS can contribute to the objectives of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.
UNESCO designations
The argan tree is an endemic woodland species found in the Arganeraie Biosphere Reserve in south-west Morocco. Rural women and, to a lesser extent, men living in the reserve practise traditional methods to extract argan oil from the fruit of the tree. Different tasks, transmitted by means of imitation and through non-formal education, are required to obtain the oil, which has multiple uses for cooking, medicines and cosmetics. These include harvesting the fruit, drying, pulping, grinding, sorting, milling and mixing. The specific hand mill is manufactured by local craftspeople, and the mixing involves the gradual addition of warm water in exact quantities. Read more