Morocco pioneers bee-friendly farming to protect oases and boost income
New approach aligns environmental conservation with economic benefits amid climate challenges
RABAT, Morocco (MNTV) — Morocco’s fragile oases are at the heart of a new initiative to protect pollinators and support local farmers, thanks to an innovative approach introduced by French bee ecology specialist Patrick Lhomme.
The method, presented during the second International Congress on Oases and Date Palm in Ouarzazate, aims to safeguard bees while boosting agricultural income in the region.
In an interview with Morocco World News, Lhomme explained that bees provide around 80 to 90 percent of pollination services.
Traditional conservation methods rely on planting wildflowers, but many farmers resist this because they fear wildflowers might overtake their crops.
To address the issue, Lhomme partnered with the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), the National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA), and the National Office for Agriculture Counseling (ONCA) to create a farming system that supports both biodiversity and livelihoods.
The approach encourages farmers to grow crops that attract pollinators while also providing them with a source of income.
The team tested this method with 300 farmers across various Moroccan agricultural zones, including oases in Errachidia and the Rif mountains.
The results demonstrated dual benefits: protecting pollinators and reducing pests. Many pollinators such as wasps and flies not only aid pollination but also hunt harmful insects, naturally controlling pests and increasing oasis productivity.
Oases face severe threats from climate change, with insect populations confined to these isolated environments unable to migrate when conditions deteriorate. Lhomme emphasized the need to recreate habitats by providing food and nesting sites, primarily through flowering plants essential for bees’ survival.
This farmer-centered model balances economic incentives with environmental protection, enabling farmers to earn income without sacrificing productive land.
The approach offers hope for the preservation of Morocco’s unique oases biodiversity while supporting sustainable development.
The congress gathered international experts to share research aimed at mitigating climate change impacts on fragile oasis ecosystems.
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