Strengthen Long Term Al-Haouz Earthquake Recovery

In collaboration with partner organisations and local associations and communities, we successfully organised the fourth and last large-scale seed distribution initiative as part of our long-term Earthquake Response Programme across four communes in Morocco: Imegdal, Ijoukak, Talat N'Yaacoub, and Ighil. The initiative aimed to support local farmers recovering from the earthquake and facing declining soil fertility, by distributing high-quality, organic and local seeds, including 35 tons of corn, 1800 kg of common beans, and 90 kg of three varieties of squash to 3423 farmers across 113 villages.

The seeds were selected to promote the Three Sisters intercropping technique, a method practised by a growing number of farmers in the region, that strengthens agrobiodiversity, improves water efficiency, and makes better use of limited land.

To reinforce local economies and traditional seed systems, all seeds were sourced from smallholder farmers in Midelt and Imilchil. This not only supported rural livelihoods beyond the High Atlas but also created opportunities for intergenerational knowledge exchange, as farmers shared cultivation practices, drought-management tips, and stories about seed varieties adapted to local climates.

The distribution was carried out efficiently, ensuring that farmers across all four communes had fair access to seeds in time for the planting season. By strengthening local seed availability, the initiative supported agricultural recovery and enabled farmers to prepare their fields for the coming cycle, in addition to strengthening local food systems and agricultural stability in the High Atlas.

In October, the administrative and contractual procedures for the new Demnate plant nursery were completed, marking the launch of our sixth nursery to date, joining those already established in Imegdal, Aït M’Hamed, Zaouiat Ahensal, Oukaïmeden, and Tilgouite. Together, these sites form a growing network of community-led hubs that promote biodiversity restoration, sustainable livelihoods, and the conservation of local plant species across the High Atlas.

Developed in close partnership with Cooperative Demnatna, which will manage and operate the site, the Demnate nursery is now taking shape on the ground. The main infrastructure is in place, with fencing installed, a water basin completed, and both the greenhouse tunnel and shaded area fully prepared for planting. Once operational, the nursery will be stocked with locally selected medicinal and aromatic plants and species chosen for their ecological value and economic potential.

The nursery will play a central role in supporting local partners, including cooperatives, public schools, associations, and individual farmers, through the annual production and distribution of seedlings. By ensuring access to high-quality plant material, it will contribute directly to landscape restoration efforts, sustainable income generation, and the revitalisation of traditional agroecological practices.

The construction and setup are being managed by agroecological expert Boujmaa Gueghlan, who is also providing hands-on technical support and training to cooperative members in nursery management and maintenance. This approach aims not only to establish a well-functioning nursery but also to strengthen local ownership and capacity, ensuring the long-term sustainability of the initiative.

Once fully operational, the Demnate nursery will stand as a model in the region for collaborative, community-based restoration, linking ecological regeneration with local economic development and contributing to the broader recovery and resilience of the High Atlas region.