Farming in the Ziz Valley oasis area is based on traditional, intensified, polyculture systems (date palm, fruit trees, olive, alfalfa, cereals & vegetables) developed in response to high population density and limited irrigation. Alfalfa is the main forage used to feed sheep, which are a principal component in the farm economy. Alfalfa is used as green forage in warm months and as dry forage in winter. In winter, alfalfa is generally insufficient for animal feeding, so off-farm feed is often purchased at great expense. Though low forage production is related to environmental factors (drought, salinity, and high temperature) and the low diversity of forage crops, alfalfa is the main forage used for several centuries and is adapted to local environmental factors that other forage species can not tolerate. In general, women are in charge of forage production on farms, but they are not usually involved in research and development or even in forage & animal feeding technology transfer. Irrigation, managed mostly by men, is also a key limiting factor, as is groundwater salinity, which limits irrigation frequency. 

To improve forage production in the oasis area of the Ziz Valley, the participation of man and women in development must be institutionalized according to task and responsibility by gender. Women's participation is especially needed to conserve alfalfa landraces in the oasis agroecosystem using their traditional knowledge, and in the sharing of improved methods. Better use of water resources is more a concern of men, who are responsible for irrigation. To increase forage production, some farmers are adopting improved varieties that are not adapted to local environments, requiring more water and exposing local landraces to genetic erosion. On-farm conservation of landraces is essential to prevent unsustainable water use and loss of biodiversity. 

Conserve Resources

Improving local landraces in situ conserves genetic resources. Using locally-adapted alfalfa landraces conserves water over non-adapted varieties.

Adjust to Local Environments

Local alfalfa landraces are well adapted to the local dry conditions.

Diversify

Oases agroecosystems are among the most intensive and biotically diversified traditional agroecosystems in the world. Conserving local landraces maintains the high genetic diversity of crops in these systems.

Empower people

Polyculture systems in the oasis region use local knowledge and management strategies to improve local environments and communities. By increasing gender-specificity of research, development and extension and by encouraging participation by women, forage production can be improved. 

An image from the Ziz Oasis

Related Publications:

Bouizgaren A. & Werner J, 1998. Potentiel et strategie du developpement agricole specifique par rapport au genre. Cas du systeme fourrager oasien des vallees du Ziz et Draa. INRA Programme Fourrages Rabat Maroc