Adoption of Integrated Farming Models in Laayoune Region, Growing Fish, Salicornia, and Other Halophytes

The project aimed to address the challenges of decreasing freshwater and land resources in marginal farming areas by exploring the utilization of low-quality water and land resources to enhance agricultural productivity and food security. The rationale was to improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in Laayoune Region, Morocco, by making degraded and desert lands more productive through the cultivation of halophytes, specifically focusing on Salicornia bigelovii.

The project demonstrated the feasibility of productive and sustainable use of marginal water resources, such as seawater and saline groundwater, for halophyte cultivation. It also developed sustainable and climate-resilient halophyte-based farming systems in Boucraa and Foum El-Oued areas, strengthening the local economy and improving farmers’ livelihoods. Moreover, it established a value chain for halophytic products for local markets, including products for human consumption and forages for livestock.

The project involved the establishment of inland and coastal integrated farms and their evaluation in the selected areas. These farms were designed for growing Salicornia and other halophytic species, fish, and halophytic forages. The project also assessed the environmental impact of irrigation with saline water resources.