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Casablanca — The 8th International Congress on the Argan Tree wrapped up Sunday in Essaouira after three days of discussions focused on research, sustainability, and the future of Morocco’s argan ecosystem.
The event brought together researchers, institutional officials, experts, and development actors from Morocco and abroad. Organized by the National Agency for the Development of Oasis Zones and Argan Areas (ANDZOA) alongside the National Institute of Agronomic Research and the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), the congress was held under the theme of the argan tree and climate change.
This year’s edition ended with a series of recommendations centered on scientific cooperation and environmental protection. Participants called for stronger international partnerships and wider collaboration between researchers working on argan-related studies. They also stressed the need to support scientific innovation and preserve the argan ecosystem as climate pressures continue to grow.
Several agreements were signed during the congress, including partnerships linked to research, training, and innovation projects tied to the argan sector. Organizers said the goal is to improve knowledge sharing while encouraging sustainable development in regions where argan forests remain a major economic resource.
The congress also featured the presentation of awards recognizing scientific work focused on the argan tree and environmental sustainability.
The first prize went to Laila Amjlef from the National School of Applied Sciences at Ibn Zohr University for her project on sustainable insulating panels made from argan nut shells for green construction materials.
Second prize was awarded to Amina Braimi from the Faculty of Sciences at Ibn Zohr University for research examining soil nematode communities as indicators of soil functioning in the Arganeraie Biosphere Reserve.
The third prize was given to Fassih Boujemaa of Cadi Ayyad University for work studying the physiological and biochemical responses of argan trees to grazing intensity in the Essaouira region, along with research into compost and SWRT technology.
Read also: 8th International Argan Congress Reinforces Morocco’s Push for Sustainable Argan Development
The event also included the “Young Researchers Prize,” organized in two categories: Master’s and engineering dissertations, and doctoral theses.
In the Master’s and engineering thesis category, the first prize went to Bouchra Bounasser of Ibn Zohr University’s Faculty of Multidisciplinary Studies in Taroudant for research on enriching refined sunflower oil with bioactive molecules derived from argan by-products using ultrasound technology.
Second prize was awarded to Menan Nouhaila from Mohammed V University in Rabat for research on drought resistance in Argania spinosa colonized by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi.
The third prize in the same category went to Dakir Saida from Cadi Ayyad University’s Higher Normal School in Marrakech for developing and promoting a new biocompost aimed at improving argan tree tolerance to water stress.
In the doctoral thesis category, Mohamed Mouafik from Mohammed V University won first prize for research exploring the use of spatial technologies and artificial intelligence to monitor argan productivity and structural traits.
Second prize went to Oussama Bayssi of the Hassan II Agronomic and Veterinary Institute for work assessing the carbon footprint and carbon credit dynamics of argan agroforestry systems, with the goal of supporting the creation of a carbon market around the argan ecosystem.
The third doctoral prize was awarded to Abdelmoiz El Faoer from Mohammed V University for research on fatty acid desaturase biosynthesis genes involved in stress response in Argania spinosa through genomic, bioinformatic, and lipidomic approaches.
Beyond scientific presentations, discussions also focused on improving the value chain of argan products, preserving biodiversity, and supporting local populations that depend on the sector. Participants additionally called for stronger investment in climate adaptation research and sustainable land management strategies.
Organizers said the congress reflected the growing international interest in the argan tree, which has become both an ecological symbol and an economic pillar for many Moroccan communities. The event closed with renewed appeals to protect the argan forest while ensuring long-term opportunities for rural populations across Morocco’s argan regions.
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