The Kingdom of Morocco will celebrate, on May 10, 2025, the fifth edition of the International day of Arganier, proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2021 (resolution A/RES/75/262).
Placed under the theme “The Arganier, a lever to alleviate the effects of climate change”this day honors a pillar of Moroccan natural and cultural heritage, recognized by UNESCO as a biosphere reserve and Intangible cultural heritage of humanity.
This celebration is fully part of the dynamics driven by the national strategies “generation Green 2020-2030” and “Forests of Morocco 2030”, launched in 2020 under the effective presidency of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him.
The sovereign then called for “A consolidation of the achievements carried out in the agricultural field and the creation of new activities generating jobs and income, in particular in favor of young people in rural areas”.
These two strategies converge around an ambitious program for the development of arganiculture, which aims to enhance 10,000 hectares in the regions of Souss-Massa, Marrakech-Safi and Guelmim-Oued Noun.
Organized by the Ministry of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development and Water and Forests, the National Agency for the Development of Oasian Zones and Argannier (Andzoa) and their partners, this edition will highlight the ecological, economic and socio-cultural functions of the Arganier, while emphasizing its role in the fight against desertification, the preservation of soil and climate regulation.
Ms. Latifa Yaakoubi, Director General of Andzoa, underlines in this regard that: “The argan tree embodies much more than a tree; constitutes a living rampart against desertification. By preserving this unique ecosystem, we protect not only exceptional biodiversity, but we also strengthen the livelihoods of local communities, in particular rural women, guardians of this millennial know-how. »»
The festivities will be articulated around a rich program, deployed on the scale of the provinces of the Biosphere Reserve of Arganeraie (RBA), in order to enhance the different assets of this emblematic tree.
On May 10, 2025, Andzoa and the National Institute of Agronomic Research (INRA) organized a scientific meeting devoted to the restitution of the results of the scientific research program carried out within the framework of the Developed Development Program in degraded areas (Dared) co -financed by the Green Climate and the Agricultural Development Agricultural Development (ADA). This day will highlight the advancescientive advanced to optimize the technical driving of arganiculture and promote the potential for sequestration of carbon, as well as the monitoring of biodiversity.
-In the continuity of this celebration, a second scientific meeting will be held on May 12, 2025 at the multidisciplinary faculty of Taroudant around the interactions between argan, biodiversity and sustainable development.
This day will be closed by the awards ceremony for the doctorals of the ICESCO Chair. Researchers, decision -makers and territorial actors will exchange around innovative solutions in the face of current climatic issues.
In parallel, several educational activities for the awareness of young generations at the level of schools at the RBA scale will be organized in partnership with the regional education academies and the training of the regions concerned. These activities concern artistic competitions (drawing, theater, poetry) and educational workshops aimed at awareness of students to the importance of preserving the Argana ecosystem. These initiatives will be accompanied by planting operations at the level of certain schools.
In terms of culture and gastronomy, the Al Moggar hotel in Agadir will welcome the Gastro Festival Souss from May 8 to 12, 2025, organized by the Israe of Culinary Arts Association. Twenty international chiefs will revisit traditional revenue based on argane oil, offering an sensory ode to the culinary wealth of the Souss terroir.
Finally, on May 25, 2025, the Arganier half-marathon will transform the streets of Agadir into a space of expression and fulfillment for an ecological and sporting commitment. Organized by the municipality of Agadir and the Sport for Development association, this event will bring together citizens and athletes around the preservation of arganeraie, in an inclusive dynamic.
A lasting and rooted commitment
Throughout the month of May, Andzoa maintains this mobilization through the organization of training sessions intended for women of cooperatives and members of provincial rights associations. These sessions will focus on the technical conduct of arganiculture, sustainable management of resources, female entrepreneurship, community leadership and forest co-management.
This mobilization is also based on the active involvement of professionals in the sector, gathered within the Interprofessional Federation of the Argane sector (Fifargane), which work to structure and promote the sector on a national and international scale.
Through this synergy between public institutions, players in the field and interprofession, Morocco affirms its proactive vision of sustainable development, where the Arganier ecosystem – with its 830,000 hectares – remains at the heart of the policies reconciling biodiversity, food security and social equity.
As Ms. Yaakoubi reminds us: “Our action at Andzoa is part of a logic of co-construction with local populations. By supporting the local actors and the synergies, we transform the argan tree into a concrete lever of climate resilience and economic empowerment of women and young people. »»
