The Need: Rural Moroccan families consistently identify fruit trees as one of their highest priorities for community development.  The reason why fruit trees are so important is because the traditional staple crops of barley and corn no longer satisfy subsistence needs. Rural families now have to typically purchase these staples equivalent, on average, to the amount that they grow. The low market-value of these staples has compelled family farms to plant cash-crops, such as fruit trees, that generate significantly greater income than traditional crops.

The Solution: In June 2006 HAF launched an ambitious campaign to plant one million fruit trees and saplings throughout Morocco. Since 2003 nearly 150,000 fruit trees, benefitting over 23,000 people, in four provinces of Morocco, have been planted. Download a chart of HAF's fruit tree agriculture projects (PDF).

In September 2008, HAF signed a formal convention with the High Commission of Waters and Forests to implement fruit tree agriculture projects with villages that neighbor Morocco's ten national parks. This partnership is based on the common goals of rehabilitating the natural environment and assisting the local population with socio-economic projects.

The Impact: A nursery consisting of 50,000 saplings benefits approximately 5,000 people. In addition to on average doubling family incomes in four to six years, fruit trees strengthen the environment, and provide opportunities for training in new agricultural methods.

Current Projects:

• Kate Jeans-Gail Tree Nursery Memorial
• Tree Planting in the Imenane and Azzadene Valleys

Learn More

• View photos from the February 2008 fruit tree distribution - 33,000 fruit trees for twenty villages in the Imenane and Azzadene Valleys
• Learn about HAF's fruit tree agriculture best practices
• Download HAF's One Million Tree Brochure (English PDF)

A gift of $100 plants 25 fruit trees. Donate today!