Oases systems in Morocco Mountains Mr. Seddik SAIDI Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding National Institute of Agronomic Research International Forum on: Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems Theme: Dialogue Among Agricultural Civilizations 9-12 June 2011, Beijing, China 1
Geographic localization x Area SIPAM 2
Description of agriculture heritage system The site Imilchil-Amellagou is located in the Eastern High Atlas Mountains of Morocco at an altitude of 2000 meters. - Total area: 309,295 ha - Six Rural Communes - Population 38,100 p. : 6,250 households - Climate is semi-arid to sub-humid, cold winter - Suitable Agricultural Area: 3,350 ha - Population is composed of two ethnic groups: Ait Hdidou in Imilchil, Ait Marghad in Amellagou 3
I. Agricultural biological diversity 1. Food and livelihood security For centuries, the local population has been faced with adversity of environment and the scarcity of resources. Thus, it has developed a lifestyle based on solidarity and discipline. Agriculture Livestock: 65% workforce Agriculture has multi-functionality: secure food, optimize natural resource management and landscapes Agriculture diversification: integration of crop and livestock in the mountain meadows (Agoudal) and semi arid rangelands. 4
2. Biodiversity and ecosystem function Food Security is ensured through 98 varieties of 37 species. Crop Number of cultivated species Cereals 7 Legumes 7 Vegetables 11 Arboreal 13 Condiments 9 Total 37 Animals Livestock production: five local population s are found: 2 sheep, 1 goat, 1 beef and a Saharan Africa honey-bee 5
Associated Biodiversity Biodiversity Flora Associated biodiversity includes 445 species, 135 plant species are endemic. Among the most-used by the population: capers, rosemary, sage, thyme, fennel, - Much of aromatic, medicinal and dye are often used in people's daily lives Cont'd 1 6
Biodiversity fauna Animals Number of species Endemic Species Birds 83 4 Mammals 27 4 Amphibians and Reptiles 34 7 Fish 8 4 The extinction of Panther and Hyena are uncertain The Lion of Atlas disappeared Cont'd 1 7
II. Knowledge systems Production Systems - Cropping systems at two levels: tree crops and annual crops - Rotations performed according to the food needs, availability of water. They include 13 types of crops - Local varieties to specific cycles in the rotation Seeds conservation Seeds of small grains, alfalfa, turnips, onions, usually conserved in small quantities, and are placed in clay pots or gourds. Cont'd 1 8
Soil conservation - Construction of terraces that operate on slopes to expand the cultivated area while conserving soil, - Building worthy to protect fields against flooding and invasion of alluvial - Greening of the surroundings of streams to protect fields against flooding and erosion Cont'd 1 9
Water management Spring catchment and groundwater management through the system of Khettara - Khettara underground pipe were built several centuries ago to catch ground water and drive it by gravity to the oasis (as per Qanat in Iran) - Khettara required a high labor investment at creation step, but following management of water is efficient and ecological (very low running costs) - These ingenious systems of water mobilisation are threatened by: - physical degradation of the underground gallery if not maintained - the complex social rules of water distribution Cont'd 1 10
III. Socio culturel diversity Spinning of wool All garments are made based on wool: -Tahnadirt, - Azanar, - Takabout The dyeing is performed by the dye species combined with the reasons and the texture of wire make Tahandirt a component of ethnic identity Culinary Heritage There are four types of bread: - Tahtoucht, - Abadir, - Bahmou, - Tabadrat Working horn: very few (disappearing) Cont'd 2 11
Rituals and Cultural Heritage Moussem of Imilchil Moussem is an annual fair, reference to the nomadic tribes to meet and celebrate marriages It's a place of cultural exchange and communication at local, national and international levels. Cultural Heritage of Humanity, To be inventoried by UNESCO Cont'd 2 12
IV. Tribal systems and space management The boundaries between the tribes are materialized by physics: - Rivers, - ridgeline, - Pass Rangeland Management: Three types of "Agoudal : - Open to grazing throughout the year, - Closed from March to June, - Opened in July-March for cattle and horses The operation period depends of the seed of the plant cover and the needs of livestock Cont'd 2 13
Objectives I. Conservation of agricultural biodiversity -Inventory of agricultural biodiversity - Agoudal: improved traditional practices of course; - Identification and proposed conservation measures; - Awareness of population Cont'd 2 14
II. Water and soils - Inventory of resources; - Characterization and maintenance of Khettara: ancestral heritage irrigation - Proposed actions for improved management Cont'd 2 15
III. Income-generating activities for women - Scoping traditional methods of making bread and couscous - Identification and study of traditional weaving made from wool - Tahandirte: Specificity and cultural richness - Training of young girls on theoretical and practical aspects of manufacturing Cont'd 3 16
IV. Sustainable tourism management -Designing management scheme for lake Tislit - Awareness of the local population V. Transcript of intangible heritage - Production of a compendium of songs and stories dealing GIAHS - Editing a book on the sayings, stories rituals relating to medicinal herbs and dye - Registration Imilchil Moussem as world cultural heritage Cont'd 3 17
Conclusion SIPAM is adopted in Morocco and integrates with: Philosophy of development of agriculture in the new agricultural strategy Green Morocco Plan, pillar II solidarity agriculture; Development orientations of mountain areas as heritage and national wealth; Preservation of natural potential and Capitalisation of wealth and local knowledge Cont'd 3 18
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