Morocco
Almost 90% of the rural economy in the region is dependent on the argan agroforestry system. SALAM-MED will combine smart grazing management, Subsurface Water Retention and Water Harvesting technologies to reverse land degradation in the Argan forests of Essaouira.
Technologies and Practical solutions developed here
Subsurface Water Retention Technology
Leader
University of Cadi Ayyad
Area
Profile
Altitude: 370 m a.s.l.
Coordinates: 31.101° N; 9.687° W
Size: 3 km² scalable to ≈1364 km²
Mean annual temp: 23 °C
Mean annual prec: 250 mm
Mean annual ETo: 850 mm
Aridity index: 0.30
Local population : 6,500
Main land uses, crops and animals: agro-
silvopastoral, argan, olive, wheat, goat,
sheep, cows
The Living Lab
TAGANT LL emphasizes two primary approaches: improved grazing management and innovative reforestation techniques, such as Subsurface Water Retention Technology (SWRT) and biostimulants. Collaborative workshops have been key to validating these approaches with local stakeholders, promoting active participation, and increasing acceptance of new technologies.
The lab has shown promising results, notably improved soil moisture and enhanced Argan tree growth due to these advanced reforestation technologies. Monitoring and evaluation incorporate frequent data collection, stakeholder feedback, and active involvement of women, doubling their engagement levels. Efficiency is maintained through synergy with ongoing initiatives, timely resource use, and stakeholder enthusiasm.
However, challenges persist, particularly communication difficulties due to local illiteracy and initial stakeholder resistance to change. The LL team is addressing these through consistent stakeholder interaction, educational efforts, and flexible workshop planning.
Overall, the TAGANT LL demonstrates the value of participatory approaches and innovative technologies in ecological restoration, providing practical solutions to land degradation, fostering local economic opportunities, and significantly enhancing socio-ecological resilience. Future steps involve deeper stakeholder involvement and further refinement of strategies to support sustainable Argan forest management.
Last News from the Living Lab
This section aims to foster dialogue and exchange of information among key Living Lab stakeholders, continuously updating all participants on progress and news about activities carried out.
TAGANT LL
TAGANT LL is the LL implemented in Morocco. Research activities in this LL focus on studying the impact of pastoralism on the Argan forest by monitoring changes in the physiology...
TAGANT LL
TAGANT LL is the LL implemented in Morocco. Research activities in this LL focus on studying the impact of pastoralism on the Argan forest by monitoring changes in the physiology...
Stakeholders
The Living Lab is based on the collaboration of different stakeholders, each of whom brings useful skills and resources to address the area’s challenges in an integrated way. Their active participation enables the development of effective and shared solutions. This section presents the main stakeholders and their contributions to the project.
Primo Principio S.c.a.r.l.
Primo Principio is an Italian SME with 10 years of experience in industrial research and development of software solutions, data analytics, predictive modeling applied to the world of agronomy, plant phytopathology and simulation of complex biological phenomena…
Abinsula S.r.l
Founded in 2012, Abinsula is one of the main Italian players in the field of embedded, web and mobile solutions. Its core business is represented by the automotive sector, a domain in which – thanks to a very high specialization – it has managed to pos …
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Technologies and Practical solutions developed in this Living Lab
The Arganeraie is a part of UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves, and have peculiar eco-geographic and socio-economic dimensions (Faouzi, 2017). Almost 90% of the rural economy in the region is dependent on the argan agroforestry system. Overgrazing, climate change and demographic dynamics are generating land degradation that could be reversed combining smart grazing management, SWRT and simple WH technologies.
Click on the cards below to learn more about the individual technologies tested in the living lab.
Subsurface Water Retention Technology
References
Zenodo References
Stakeholders Signup
Primo Principio S.c.a.r.l.
Primo Principio is an Italian SME with 10 years of experience in industrial research and development of software solutions, data analytics, predictive modeling applied to the world of agronomy, plant phytopathology and simulation of complex biological phenomena. It has developed its own technological solution (www.wiforagri.com ) which it markets as Saas (Software as a Service).
It currently works in Italy, Slovenia and Greece and actively and continuously participates in regional, national and European research, development and innovation projects in its field. Thanks to this strong inclination towards research and continuous innovation, it has been able to integrate highly verticalized technologies and skills in the design and implementation of DSS for agricultural support, it has been a supplier to regional agencies for agricultural development in Sardinia, Friuli Venezia Giulia and Lazio and provides its technologies and consultancy to producer associations, agronomic studies (as well as small and large agricultural companies).
It has a multidisciplinary team that knows how to combine engineering, software development and data analysis skills with agronomic, biological and bioinformatics profiles.
Abinsula S.r.l.
Founded in 2012, Abinsula is one of the main Italian players in the field of embedded, web and mobile solutions. Its core business is represented by the automotive sector, a domain in which – thanks to a very high specialization – it has managed to position itself as a supplier of innovative ICT solutions at a global level. The company’s rapid growth has been supported by the development of ABILITY, a Linux distribution for embedded systems, which over time has found application in various fields, as well as being a central product in the automotive solutions domain.
For several years, the automotive sector has been accompanied by the development of solutions applied to the agritech and healthcare sectors. Abinsula also offers extensive experience in common embedded technologies, such as wired and wireless communication technologies, mobile applications for Android, iOS and other smart devices and the development of IoT platforms. Abinsula’s success is based on continuous research and development, inspired by the desire to introduce innovative solutions to the market that can provide answers to current or future problems and needs.