Revitalizing the oases of Drâa-Tafilalet: preserving life and heritage

The Drâa-Tafilalet region in southeastern Morocco is renowned for its oases, which cover nearly 90% of the territory. These green havens in the heart of the desert provide sustenance for local populations and preserve a rich cultural heritage. Women, who represent more than half of the beneficiaries, play a central role in their development.

However, these fragile ecosystems are threatened by population pressure, climate change, water scarcity, and the deterioration of traditional irrigation systems such as khettaras and seguias. These challenges are leading to declining agricultural productivity, loss of biodiversity, and a growing exodus of inhabitants.

Faced with this situation, FAO and its partners, notably ANDZOA and several Moroccan ministries, implemented the OASIL project, aimed at restoring and enhancing oasis agroecosystems.
Covering 24 rural municipalities in five provinces (Errachidia, Midelt, Tinghir, Ouarzazate, Zagora), the project directly benefited more than 402,000 inhabitants, targeting primarily small farmers, livestock breeders, and women.

Knowledge and planning

The project has provided national institutions with essential tools for sustainable planning: comprehensive water accounting in five basins, mapping of biodiversity and soil erosion, identification of tourism potential, and five integrated sustainable management and investment plans.

Concrete actions in the field

The results are tangible:

• 1,200 hectares of land protected from erosion by stone walls, benefiting 9,000 people;
• 5,000 hectares better irrigated through the rehabilitation of 4 khettaras and 14 seguias, benefiting 18,500 farming residents;
• Deployment of pastoral infrastructure and solar equipment for drinking water and irrigation through 12 solar stations (1,300 ha, 0.75 Mt CO₂/year avoided);
• Construction of 8 snow shelters for 2,400 livestock farmers;
• Improved waste management and access to water in several localities;
• Direct support for more than 18,000 people.

Promoting local resources

The project also strengthened agricultural value chains and developed new economic opportunities: almond processing, improved date storage, palm waste composting, and the creation of biochar units. A specialized center was launched to protect the Saharan yellow bee, an iconic local species, with more than 2,000 queen bees distributed to beekeepers.

In addition, in partnership with UN Women, a study explored digitalization as a lever for improving the living conditions of 1,000 women in oases.

A sustainable model for the future

By integrating traditional knowledge and modern innovations, the OASIL project has revitalized the oases of Drâa-Tafilalet and strengthened the resilience of local communities. A true laboratory for ecological and social innovation, it paves the way for a model of sustainable management of oasis landscapes, inspiring other territories facing the same climatic and socio-economic challenges.