An innovative project for the sustainable conservation of the Akka Tata oases

Since 2023, the Forum Kariyati pour le Développement Social (FKDS) association has been implementing the “Contribution à la conservation des palmeraies des oasis d’Akka Tata” project, funded by IUCN Med as part of the PPI OSCAN 3 program. The project is being deployed in the commune of Sidi Abdellah Ben M’barek, more specifically in the douars of Rahhala and Lkasbah, located in the province of Tata.

Designed to strengthen the resilience of traditional farming systems and limit the natural and man-made risks that threaten oases, the project aims to ensure the sustainable conservation of oasis biodiversity, in particular the date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.). It is based on a participatory, inclusive and territorialized approach, combining awareness-raising, training, development, action-research and networking of local stakeholders, with a view to establishing a lasting dynamic for sustainable palm grove management.

 Institutional mobilization and partnership structuring

The project began with the active mobilization of local and regional institutions, through :

  • 6 consultation meetings with stakeholders (Province of Tata, Provincial Council, ANDZOA, Provincial Directorate of Agriculture, Water and Forestry Agency, Sidi Abdellah Ben M’barek commune);
  • The signing of 4 partnership agreements with these institutions, sealing their commitment to the implementation of the project
  • The design and distribution of a communication campaign (roll-up, banners, t-shirts, flyers, etc.) to accompany the official launch of the project on June 10, 2023.

Raising awareness, training and disseminating knowledge

One of the pillars of the project has been the popularization of knowledge linked to the sustainable management of palm groves, notably through :

  • The organization of 2 major awareness-raising meetings (in Rahhala and Lkasbah), attended by 177 and 82 participants respectively, a significant proportion of whom were women;
  • The production of 5 educational fact sheets on palm-growing in Arabic, intended for farmer training and exhibition in the future palm-growing museum;
  • The implementation of 3 technical training courses (December 8, 9 and 10, 2023) focusing on pruning, intercropping, conservation of local varieties and sustainable practices;
  • A thematic conference on medicinal and aromatic plants in the oasis context, organized on January 13, 2024;
  • An exchange visit to the GREEN EGRANE cooperative (Tata) for 30 farmers, promoting the transfer of good agricultural practices and cooperative structuring.

Participatory diagnosis and environmental risk management

A participatory diagnosis was carried out in the two target douars, based on a survey of 200 farmers (35% of them women), with a response rate of over 94%. This work enabled us to identify vulnerabilities and propose appropriate conservation and development solutions.

With a view to fire prevention, the project has carried out :

  • Palm grove clean-up operations,
  • The creation of passageways and emergency exits between farms, facilitating the intervention of emergency services and the movement of local residents,
  • The integration of these actions into an overall strategy of sustainable oasis management.

An opportunity to be exploited: the museum of phoenician culture

With a view to post-project continuity, a development opportunity has been identified around the creation of a date palm interpretation center, in partnership with the commune of Sidi Abdellah Ben M’barek.

The purpose of this future date palm museum would be to:

  • Promote the history, culture and traditional agricultural practices of the date palm;
  • Provide an educational and tourist tool, through exhibitions, multimedia supports and awareness-raising fact sheets;
  • Ensure the intergenerational transmission of the oasis heritage.

Premises have already been identified and an operating agreement signed. However, development work remains conditional on obtaining co-financing and technical support. This project represents a strategic opportunity to extend the impact of the initial project and enhance the cultural value of the area.

Sustainability strategy and recommendations

In parallel with these actions, the FKDS association has launched a structured capitalization process:

  • Creation of a permanent monitoring committee,
  • Organization of an annual meeting on the state of the oasis and biannual meetings with farmers,
  • Proposal for sustainable partnerships with local institutions and ongoing programs (in particular the ANDZOA program funded by the World Bank),
  • Monitoring of post-project results using simple indicators (visitor numbers, adoption of practices, state of palm groves, etc.).

The project carried out by the Association forum kariyati pour le développement sociale as part of the PPI OSCAN 3 program demonstrates that the preservation of oasis ecosystems can be thought of as a collective approach, integrating the transmission of knowledge, the active participation of farmers, risk prevention and the cultural enhancement of the territory. Despite administrative delays and funding constraints, over 75% of the planned activities have been completed, paving the way for solid prospects of sustainability and replicability.

  • Implementation period: 24 months
  • Contact: +212 652790594
  • Address: Douar Alrrahala. Commune Kasbat Sidi Abdellah Oumbarek. Province of Tata. 84050
  • Email: fkds.karyati@gmail.com & lhassanmbarki1@gmail.com
  • Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/fkdsmaroc

This project is part of the third phase of the Small Initiatives Program for North African CSOs (PPI OSCAN), coordinated by the IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation, and financed by the French Global Environment Facility (FFEM), the MAVA Foundation and the Sigrid Rausing Trust Foundation. Subsidized projects aim to conserve species and ecosystems with remarkable biodiversity, and to enhance the benefits of conservation and sustainable livelihoods. To find out more about OSCAN 3 PPI projects: 5.Projects – MUBADARAT (mubadarat-uicn.org).