Rabat – A major development initiative targeting Morocco’s southern oases was launched on Friday in Zagora, with the signing of a partnership agreement worth approximately MAD 624 million aimed at restoring and upgrading oasis ecosystems across the province.
The agreement was signed during the opening of the first National Oasis Forum, held from April 9 to 12, under the supervision of Ahmed El Bouari and Zagora governor Mohamed Alami Ouaddane. The initiative aligns with national priorities, emphasizing the sustainable development of oasis and mountain regions, alongside efforts to improve living conditions in vulnerable communities.
The program seeks to address mounting environmental pressures, particularly climate change, by coordinating efforts among institutional partners to preserve and enhance the ecological and economic value of Zagora’s oases.
Built on a participatory approach, the initiative is structured around five key pillars: sustainable water resource management, groundwater recharge, rehabilitation of degraded oasis areas, strengthening of traditional oasis systems, and promotion of local agricultural products. Complementary support measures, including training, supervision, and awareness campaigns, are also planned.
Beyond environmental restoration, the project aims to boost income-generating activities and reinforce local infrastructure, contributing to the socio-economic revitalization of oasis communities.
The agreement was signed by eleven institutional partners. These include the Directorate of Rural Affairs at the Ministry of the Interior and the Regional Directorate of Agriculture of Drâa-Tafilalet. It also brings together the Regional Council and the National Agency for the Development of Oasis and Argan Zones (ANDZOA).
Other signatories include the Regional Directorate of Equipment, Transport and Logistics, as well as the Regional Office for Agricultural Development of Ouarzazate. The Provincial Council of Zagora also took part in the signing.
The partnership further involves the Guir-Ziz-Rheris and Drâa-Oued Noun Hydraulic Basin Agencies. The National Agency for Water and Forests (ANEF) is also among the stakeholders. The list is completed by the National Office for Agricultural Advisory Services (ONCA), alongside the remaining institutional partners engaged in the program.
Zagora’s oasis landscape spans more than 26,000 hectares across 25 territorial communes, making it one of Morocco’s most significant oasis regions. The newly launched program is expected to serve as a model for integrated and sustainable oasis development nationwide.
