Argan Nursery and Forest in Essaouira, Morocco

During my first week of 2025, I had the opportunity to visit with Alaoui, the Secretary General of the Mohammed VI Foundation for Research and Preservation of the Argan Tree, together with her associate at the Foundation, Chahboune.

Since 2001, they have been dedicated to planting argan trees (Argania Spinoza, a native species) fully integrated with local communities and the National Agency of Water and Forests, with whom HAF also partners nationally. 

The approach of the Foundation’s work is informed by the basic premise that Argan is an ecosystem that binds plants, people, and animals together.

I learned that 20 percent of Argan trees remain today as compared to the years prior to World War I.

Between 20,000-25,000 years ago, there were Argan trees all across Morocco. However, as snow and cold came to Morocco, Argan trees became more concentrated in the south of the country.

In 2021, the United Nations General Assembly declared May 10 as International Argan Day–a resolution submitted by Morocco and approved by UN member states.

The High Atlas Foundation is dedicated to the sustainable development dreams of the Moroccan people. In 2023-2024, we planted 20,270 argan trees with 210 farming families in nine provinces, and 17,268 trees were monitored, indicating a 69 percent survival rate.

We currently have 8,407 argan trees available for farming families in two community nurseries that we support; most of the trees are located in Tisfane (Taroudant province) and some in Ouaouizerth (Azilal province). 

I hope you consider partnering with HAF and its partners to plant and preserve the wonder of argan trees.

On May 10, we’ll unite with Mohammed VI Foundation for Research and Preservation of the Argan Tree to further build an ecosystem of partnerships to restore this source of sustainable livelihoods. We hope to see you.