Irrigation Systems for Fruit Trees in Africa

On the night of September 8th, 2023, the world shifted beneath Morocco’s High Atlas Mountains.

At 11:11 p.m., as the earthquake tore through the Al Haouz region, Fdila was sitting inside the home she shared with her husband, still grieving his passing just a month before. When the walls shook, she stumbled outside into the darkness, surrounded by neighbors calling out each other’s names to be sure no one was lost.

“We all sat under the gaze of the sky and the stars,” she said. “We did not have any cover. We sat like this until morning. We looked for food and water, but found nothing, until relief came.”

And YOU were part of that relief.

In the frantic hours that followed, drawing on over 20 years of community work and our extensive local network, we mobilized across mountain roads and collapsed villages, reaching remote communities where aid often arrives too late.

Because of supporters like you:

690 tons of relief supplies reached 69 villages

12,597 people regained clean water access

100 psychosocial support workshops helped families process unthinkable loss

Villages like Agouns, Tanamerte, Aghbar, and Widrarane received food, water filters, hygiene kits, solar systems, and household essentials that made survival possible.

Among those touched by this support were Amal and Laila, two sisters-in-law from the village of Talilit. Amal, whose name means “Hope” in Arabic, became a beacon of resilience after the earthquake. Through a four-day Psychosocial Empowerment Workshop, she gained confidence, practical skills, and the vision to start her own online business. Her courage inspired Laila, and together they began to rebuild both their lives and their futures.

In the Aghbar Valley, the impact was equally tangible. Hundreds of families regained access to safe water, essential household items, and temporary shelter. At the heart of it all was Si Larbi Adhar, overseer of 22 villages, whose leadership and unwavering care guided communities through their darkest days.

As he shared:

“They have lifted us from hardships that seemed insurmountable.”

Today, as the year comes to a close, communities are still rebuilding. Your support made this possible, and now there is an opportunity to extend that impact further. Your year-end gift will expand the next phase of rebuilding to new communities: improved livelihoods, water systems, and continued trauma support.

Hope has many names: Fdila, Si Larbi, … and you.

The High Atlas Foundation (HAF) is proud to welcome Souad Agnaou as its new Director of Sustainable Agriculture.

With over a decade of experience in Morocco's agricultural transformation, including her work as a Project Manager and Gender Focal Point at the Agence pour le Développement Agricole (ADA), Souad brings invaluable expertise to HAF's mission.

She has contributed to flagship national programs such as the Green Morocco Plan and Generation Green 2020–2030, always focusing on the intersection of people, land, and sustainable development.

Souad was drawn to HAF because of its deeply people-centered approach to environmental work. After years in the public sector, she wanted to be closer to the ground where ideas directly touch lives and landscapes.

Her vision is to strengthen HAF's tree-planting program into a flagship model of climate-smart agroforestry that regenerates ecosystems while creating dignified livelihoods.

At the heart of her work is a commitment to empowering communities, particularly women's cooperatives and youth groups in mountain regions, to lead environmental change with the support, tools, and trust they need to succeed. Read the full interview with Souad below:

Introduction & Background

Could you tell us a little about your professional journey so far? Over the past decade, my professional path has been deeply rooted in Morocco’s agricultural transformation.

I have always been drawn to the intersection of people, land, and purpose and this calling has guided me through every stage of my career.

Before joining the High Atlas Foundation, I served as a Project manager and Gender Focal Point at the “Agence pour le Développement Agricole” (ADA), where I had the privilege of contributing to flagship national programs such as the Green Morocco Plan and Generation Green 2020–2030.

This experience taught me that true development happens when productivity and human dignity grow together when agriculture becomes not only a means of livelihood, but a path toward empowerment, equity, and ecological balance.

What motivated you to take on the role of Director of Tree-Planting at HAF? What inspired me to join HAF was its deeply human approach to development.

The Foundation’s work goes far beyond planting trees; it is about planting hope, opportunity, and ownership within communities.

After years of working in the public sector, I wanted to be closer to the ground, to see ideas take root in real lives and landscapes.

This role allows me to combine my technical expertise with my passion for people, nature, and impact and to contribute directly to building a more resilient Morocco.

Vision & Strategy

What is your long-term vision for HAF’s tree-planting program? My long-term vision is to see HAF’s tree-planting evolve into a flagship model of climate-smart agroforestry in Morocco, one that regenerates ecosystems while creating dignified livelihoods.

We are not simply planting millions of trees; we are restoring balance between people and nature. Every tree should represent both environmental resilience and economic opportunity, a living bridge between sustainability and social justice.

Are there particular regions or communities you want to focus on? Our work spans multiple regions from the High Atlas to Fès-Meknès and the Oriental each facing unique ecological and social challenges.

I am particularly committed to supporting mountain communities where soil erosion, water scarcity, and rural exodus are most severe.

These are also places where women’s cooperatives and youth groups have the greatest potential to lead change if given the right tools and trust.

Technical & Environmental Aspects

Which tree species are most important for the program, and why? We prioritize native and high-value species such as carob, almond, olive, argan, pomegranate, and fig.

Each has a story and a purpose; they are resilient, adapted to local ecosystems, and deeply woven into Morocco’s cultural and economic fabric.

The carob tree thrives in dry conditions while providing long-term income through food and cosmetic products. Choosing the right tree is both a scientific and symbolic act; it connects climate resilience to heritage and identity.

What are the biggest challenges in carrying out reforestation projects in Morocco? Our main challenges are linked to water scarcity, land availability, and the logistics of reaching remote areas.

Climate change has intensified these constraints, but it has also reminded us of the importance of adaptation.

Success requires not only technical planning, but also deep collaboration, aligning farmers, local authorities, and donors around shared goals and realistic timelines.

How do you address issues like water scarcity, climate change, and soil erosion? We combine traditional wisdom with modern technology.

Water-harvesting basins, terracing, solar-powered drip irrigation, and soil regeneration practices are part of our daily operations.

But beyond techniques, it’s about the mindset encouraging communities to view water and soil as living partners. We also invest heavily in training so that farmers can adapt to climate variability with confidence and autonomy.

Community & Collaboration

What role do local communities play in planting and caring for the trees? Communities are the true heart of this work. At HAF, we don’t impose projects, we co-create them.

From nursery management to planting and maintenance, farmers, women’s cooperatives, and schools take the lead. Our role is to support with training, seedlings, and technical guidance.

This participatory approach builds trust, accountability, and a sense of pride because the trees belong to them, not to us.

Are there key partnerships with other organizations or institutions that strengthen the program? Yes, partnerships are central to our model.

We collaborate closely with national institutions such as the Ministry of Agriculture and the National Agency for Water and Forests, the National Initiative for human development as well as international partners.

These alliances help us bridge local action with global impact combining financial support, scientific knowledge, and shared learning.

Impact & Future

How do you measure success both in numbers and in terms of social impact? We measure success on several levels. Quantitatively, we track the number of trees planted and surviving, the hectares restored, and the farmers trained.

Qualitatively, we assess empowerment, especially how women and youth are participating and benefiting.

For me, success is when a farmer says, “These trees have changed my life,” or when a community starts planting without waiting for external support. That’s when we know change is real.

Is there a message you’d like to share with readers and supporters of HAF? Each tree we plant carries the promise of renewal for the land, for communities, and for the generations to come.

I invite everyone who believes in the power of nature and human potential to take part in this movement.

Whether by planting a tree, supporting a nursery, or empowering a rural woman or young farmer, every contribution helps transform lives and landscapes.

Together, we can turn reforestation into a living expression of empowerment, care, and resilience, a legacy that grows with every season.