FP022
Development of arganiculture orchards in degraded environment (DARED)
Development of arganiculture orchards in degraded environment (DARED)
Supporting rural communities in the Argan Biosphere Reserve through the planting of argan orchards and the promotion of sustainable arganiculture to foster sustainable development, build resilience and support climate mitigation.
The argan forest of Morocco, covering 2.5 million hectares, is recognised by UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve with a rich biodiversity. There has been a “market boom” in argan oil, and its rising demand has improved household income for local communities but generated serious pressure on the natural forest, threatening its sustainability. The forest is also threatened by the impact of climate change upon its regeneration.
Morocco committed within its INDC to reduce its Greenhouse Gases (GHG) emission by 32% by 2030 through mitigation activities. Morocco intends to plant 43,000 hectares of argan tree orchards and promote arganiculture as a priority activity to reduce GHG emissions. This project will strengthen the resilience of rural communities and the arganeraie biosphere reserve through planting 10,000 ha of argan tree orchards with soil conservation and rain water harvesting capabilities. Supporting argan plantations and arganiculture will also contribute to relieve the anthropic pressure on the natural forest, and improve livelihoods of the communities by moving from a model of fruit collection from natural forests towards sustainable forest co-management.
The project has an estimated lifespan of 5 years.
Project timeline
Pipeline
29 Mar 2016 - 200 days
Concept note received
29 Mar 2016
Funding proposal received
16 Jun 2016
Cleared by GCF Secretariat
21 Jul 2016
Approved
14 Oct 2016 - 244 days
Approved by GCF Board
14 Oct 2016
Cleared by iTAP
14 Oct 2016
Legal opinion on AE's Internal Approval
06 Jan 2017
FAA executed
17 Mar 2017
Under implementation
14 Jun 2017 - 2,513 days so far
FAA effective
14 Jun 2017
Disbursement - USD 10,161,600
03 Nov 2017
Annual Performance Report
31 Jan 2019
Disbursement - USD 10,420,800
28 Aug 2020
To be completed
31 Dec 2025 - 611 days to go
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Financing
- Private sector
- Public sector
-
Size
- Micro
- Small
- Medium
- Large
GCF financing52% disbursed
| Instrument | Amount |
|---|---|
| Grant | USD 39,292,600 |
| Total GCF Financing |
|---|
| USD 39,292,600 |
Co-financing
| Co-financer | Instrument | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Co-Financing | Grant | USD 4,095,400 |
| Co-Financing | Grant | USD 5,000,000 |
| Co-Financing | Grant | USD 800,000 |
| Total Co-Financing |
|---|
| USD 9,895,400 |
GCF Contacts
General media inquiries
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Project complaints and grievances
GCF Independent Redress Mechanism (IRM)Phone +82 32 458 6186 (KST)
File a complaint
Integrity issues
GCF Independent Integrity Unity (IIU)Phone +82 32 458 6714 (KST)
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Accredited Entity
Agency for Agricultural Development of Morocco
Project Manager
Immeuble 2 et 3, Espace les patios, Angle Avenue Annakhil et Avenue Mehdi Ben Barka, Hay Ryad, Rabat, Morocco
More contacts
National Designated Authority
Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development- Department of Sustainable Development
Director of Climate Change, Biodiversity, and Green Economy
Documents
News + Stories
Climate-friendly farming preserves argan forests
10 May 2022 / Argan oil, considered the 'liquid gold' of Morocco and globally renowned as a cosmetic product, is at risk due to climate change. The Green Climate Fund (GCF) supports the Government of Morocco in its endeavour to cultivate argan orchards (arganiculture) to help preserve the argan forest which is the last barrier against climate-induced desertification. The argan orchards project, in partnership with ADA and implemented by ANDZOA, promotes climate mitigation actions and supports rural women, particularly Berber communities, who are dependent on argan for a living to build climate resilience and have a sustainable source of income.
Protecting the argan forests of Morocco
05 Nov 2021 / Making premium health and beauty products out of argan oil is good business for Zorah Biocosmétiques. The Montreal-based company uses this premium ingredient, which comes from Morocco’s arid southwestern region, in many of its hair, skin and health products.
Cultivating argan orchards to fight climate change in Morocco
18 Mar 2020 / Climate change and overharvesting of argan fruits are threatening argan forests in Morocco. The Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the Government of Morocco are working together to empower local communities to protect the forests through the argan orchards programme.
GCF in Morocco: Preserving argan forests through climate-smart farming
18 Mar 2020 / Climate change and overharvesting of argan fruits are threatening argan forests in Morocco. Watch how the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the Government of Morocco are working together to empower local communities to protect the forests through the argan orchards programme.
