About 6.5 million people living in rural areas in Morocco are set to benefit from a multimillion-euro project to improve the sustainability of the country’s forests.
The project aims to counteract the effects of climate change, which most recently led to the drought from 2021–2023, according to Morocco World News.
Financed in part by the AfDB, the Inclusive and Sustainable Development Project for Forest Areas (PADIDZOF) is in keeping with the government’s four strategic pillars: countering the cyclical impact of climate change; improving the country’s resilience to climate change; promoting social well-being; and ensuring fiscal sustainability.
The AfDB is contributing €85 million to the €171 million project
The project’s specific targets include restoring 133 000 ha of vegetation cover by 2030; creating 27 500 jobs, with a focus on youth and women; and increasing the annual economic value generated by the forestry and ecotourism sectors to between 2 and 5 billion dirhams.
Part of the mission is to promote the sustainable farming of cork, eucalyptus and medicinal plants. By developing these sustainable forest-based industries, Morocco aims to develop a rural middle class.
According to the Global Centre on Adaptation (GCA), the forestry sector accounts for 2% of Morocco’s GDP, while it contributes 4% of the world’s cork supply.
The GCA is playing an active role in the project, undertaking a climate risk assessment; advising on employment creation; and providing training and capacity development.
The project will be focused on four national parks and four watershed areas, encompassing the regions of Rabat-Salé-Kenitra, Marrakech-Safi, Tangier-Tétouan-Al Hoceima and Souss-Massa, reports Afrik21.
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