Sustainable oases agriculture : A journey through Morocco’s date palm production system

• Autorzy: Hamriri Kaoutar , Atmani Majid , Abidar Ali , Aziz Larbi , Fagroud Mustapha , Bouamri Rachid

Identyfikatory

DOI

10.24425/jwld.2023.148457

• Języki publikacji: EN

Abstrakty

EN

In the heart of Moroccan oases, date palm trees stand as the lifeblood of local communities, serving as both a livelihood cornerstone and a dietary treasure trove. Morocco has long been a leading date fruit producer. Yet, amidst the palm groves, several environmental, technical, and socio-economic challenges have threatened the sustainability of this ancient crop. This study assesses the constraints and limitations of the date palm production system in Tafilalet oases that have kept this crop from reaching its full potential. A total of 56 producers were interviewed using an open-closed survey, illuminating interviews with key informants, dynamic focus group discussions, and direct observations in palm groves. The findings reveal that primary restrictions and barriers impeding the progress of this sector are: producers’ moderate education level and the limited adoption of technological innovation, few opportunities given to young producers, palm groves’ fragmentation, poor management of date fruits, low imports of the necessary inputs (fertilisers, irrigation, etc.), and the poor organisation of the marketing circuit (storage and packaging). Advocate renewed commitment to preserve and modernise palm groves, blending heritage with modern practices for thriving, sustainable date palm production. It is entirely conceivable to produce organic dates in the region since producers use a few quantities of chemical products, notably fertilisers and phytosanitary products.

Słowa kluczowe

EN

date palm tree; oasis; palm grove; producer; production system; sustainability

• Wydawca: Wydawnictwo ITP
• Czasopismo: Journal of Water and Land Development
• Rocznik: 2024
• Tom: no. 60
• Strony: 1--11
• Opis fizyczny: Bibliogr. 49 poz., mapa, tab., wykr.

Twórcy

autor

Hamriri Kaoutar

• Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Laboratory of Functional Ecology and Environmental Engineering, B.P. 2202 Imouzzer Rd, 30000, Fes, Morocco

• https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0528-0630

autor

Atmani Majid

• Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Laboratory of Functional Ecology and Environmental Engineering, B.P. 2202 Imouzzer Rd, 30000, Fes, Morocco

• https://orcid.org/0009-0002-0563-1744

autor

Abidar Ali

• National School of Agriculture, Department of Rural Development Engineering, B.P. S/40, km 10, Haj Kaddour, 50001, Meknes, Morocco

• https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5020-9318

autor

Aziz Larbi

• National School of Agriculture, Department of Rural Development Engineering, B.P. S/40, km 10, Haj Kaddour, 50001, Meknes, Morocco

• https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6738-1707

autor

Fagroud Mustapha

• National School of Agriculture, Department of Agronomy, B.P. S/40, km 10, Haj Kaddour, 50001, Meknes, Morocco

• https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8084-8532

autor

Bouamri Rachid

• National School of Agriculture, Department of Plant and Environment Protection, B.P. S/40, km 10, Haj Kaddour, 50001, Meknes, Morocco

• https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9668-7278

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