Rapid transformations are reshaping the lives and agricultural practices of residents of Tizi N’Oucheg, Morocco, as rural-urban interactions drive change.
For centuries, the oasis of Tizi N’Oucheg, located high in Morocco’s Atlas Mountains, thrived as a self-sustaining agricultural hub. This age-old enclave is now experiencing significant alterations, primarily due to increased rural-to-urban migration and the expansion of nearby cities.
Recent research highlights how improved infrastructure and urban connections are shifting livelihoods away from traditional farming. The oasis, which was once largely characterized by labor-intensive agriculture and livestock ownership, is now witnessing growing dependence on remittances from migrated family members and burgeoning tourism.
Based on studies conducted over the last 50 years, researchers found cultivated land has dramatically declined from 13 hectares to approximately 6.8 hectares, as urban expansion encroaches upon previous agricultural zones. The implementation of modern infrastructure since the early 2000s has only accelerated this decline. The study notes, "Land management has shifted from labor-intensive multiple cropping and natural fertilization to monocropping of barley for local livestock feeding and increased application of mineral fertilization."
While the oasis agriculture has traditionally thrived on high biodiversity and sustainable practices, the socio-economic transitions are threatening these heritage farming systems. The total cultivated area has shrunk significantly as more households abandon fields or see their agricultural potential erode. Many interviewed farmers reported challenges such as decreased labor availability due to out-migration and dwindling irrigation resources as key factors contributing to this change.
Over time, Tizi N’Oucheg’s economy has morphed from one focused on subsistence farming to one increasingly dependent on external economic opportunities. The influx of tourism over the past three decades, influenced by Morocco’s urban development, is introducing new employment avenues, but at the cost of traditional agricultural practices. Farmers are increasingly turning to off-farm employment, with more than 87% of surveyed households reporting at least one member working outside the agricultural sector.
The study assessed socio-economic and ecological changes through integrated methodologies, combining GIS technology alongside agricultural surveys to explore land use changes from 1967 to 2022. The results are clear: residential areas have quadrupled, but traditional agricultural practices are being sidelined.
Notably, historical factors play a significant role. Moroccan policies post-colonialism favored urban development and commercial agriculture over traditional farming, exacerbated by factors such as climate change and fluctuational rainfall. Many farmers have opted to focus on barley production instead of engaging with resource-intensive agricultural techniques, observing, "Farmers chose different cropping patterns largely depending on water for irrigation and labor."
While monocropping has gained prominence, the diminished diversity of crops such as wheat and leguminous plants means the agricultural richness of the oasis is fading. Outside pressures such as market competition for cash crops place additional strain on local producers, highlighting the disparity between urban economic standards and rural agricultural viability.
To address some of these challenges, researchers propose policies and frameworks focusing on sustainability and improvement of farmers’ livelihoods. They emphasized the necessity for adaptive agricultural policies and increased support for traditional agricultural techniques to revive local practices. "The study suggests maintaining agricultural activities may rely heavily on financial incentives for farmers," they assert.
With tourism riding high, residents seek to leverage this economic boom, combined with recognized agricultural traditions, to devise strategies for sustainable rural development. Nevertheless, as Tizi N’Oucheg restructures its economic underpinning, significant attention is needed to preserve the region’s historical agricultural practices and its ecological balance.