Algeria is preparing a national program to develop argan tree cultivation, a species strongly associated with Morocco, using modern agricultural techniques, the director general of forestry announced, as cited by Echorouk on Monday, May 11.

The project includes drip irrigation systems and smart monitoring tools to improve tree yields and the quality of the oil produced.

Authorities aim to extend argan farming across several provinces, particularly within the framework of the Great Green Dam initiative, given the tree’s resilience to drought and desertification.

The announcement also carries symbolic weight in the Maghreb, as argan-related know-how has been inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list by Morocco since 2014.

According to the same official, Tindouf is home to around 10,000 argan trees, while pilot projects are being conducted in other regions including Mostaganem, M’sila, Tamanrasset, and Illizi.

Source: Echorouk