In the Face of Climate Change… In Partnership with “ANDZOA,” Agricultural Research and “ICARDA” Race Against Time to Protect the Oases
The oases—once serene havens of environmental beauty and deep-rooted cultural and human heritage, where life harmonized with the rhythms of nature and water—are no longer the idyllic paradises of memory. Today, under the growing pressures of accelerating climate change, they have become fragile spaces, groaning under the weight of desertification, water scarcity, vegetation degradation, and declining agricultural productivity. These alarming transformations now directly threaten not only ecological systems, but also the livelihoods, food security, and social and cultural fabric of millions of inhabitants in desert oasis regions.
A critical question arises: Can we still save the oases before they are swallowed by the sands, or are we witnessing the end of one of the last environmental and human strongholds in the face of the climate crisis?
Within this pressing context, and amid an urgent need for innovative solutions, the second edition of the International Conference on Oases and Date Palms—held last week in the city of Ouarzazate under the theme “Towards Climate-Resilient Oases”—emerged as a unique scientific and dialogue platform for exploring ways to strengthen the resilience of oasis ecosystems.
Among the conference’s standout moments was the presentation by Dr. Rachid Moussadek , researcher at the National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA) and the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA). Dr. Moussadek delivered a comprehensive strategic vision aimed at reimagining agriculture in arid and semi-arid environments.
In his scientific address, Dr. Moussadek focused on the Integrated Desert Farming Initiative (IDFI) led by ICARDA, describing it as a transformative approach to desert agriculture, particularly in the CWANA regions (Central and West Asia and North Africa). He emphasized that food security in these regions is no longer a theoretical aspiration but a critical existential necessity, imposed by rapid climate and environmental changes.
Dr. Moussadek explained that the initiative is based on a climate-smart approach that combines technological innovation with local knowledge to provide flexible, context-specific agricultural solutions for Moroccan oases. Among the key strategies, he highlighted the integration of drought- and heat-resistant crops such as date palms, prickly pears, and legumes, in addition to improving the productivity of traditional crops through the use of enhanced varieties and advanced agricultural techniques.
Regarding water resources, Dr. Moussadek stressed that true agricultural transformation in arid areas cannot occur without a revolution in water management. This includes the adoption of low-pressure solar-powered drip irrigation, reuse of treated wastewater, and atmospheric water harvesting technologies.
He also underscored the critical role of soil in sustainable agriculture, advocating for the adoption of conservation agriculture practices, and the use of compost and organic fertilizers to improve soil fertility and boost its carbon storage capacity—thus supporting national efforts to combat climate change.
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