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The Project To counter these problems, the Argane Foundation proposes an agroforestry project that considers both the environmental and socio-economic sides of the issue. The agricultural methods that will be used are traditional methods, so they are less demanding and more respectful of the environment, and accesible to the rural population. Plant species selected for planting will be those that have a high market value and, like the argane tree, will need little to no irrigation. The foundation will contact and establish relationships with businesses that would like to buy these plants in order to create an income for the participants in the project. The foundation and its partners will need some assurance that the selected plants can actually grow in the soil and climate of the argane region. Before finding a rural community interested in participating in the project, it will be necessary to carry out planting trials of these species. Two trials in different parts of the argane region are needed to give an indication if the project can succeed under its current strategy, and which conditions might be best for the first effort.
If these trials are successful, the foundation will choose an area near a community interested in the project for its first effort. This effort will consist of planting the species that thrived during our trials on two separate parcels of land, one planted in rows and the other planted in a garden style. Perennials, such as medicinal and aromatic plants indigenous to Morocco, will be a source of income for the participants in the beginning while waiting for the argane and other trees to grow and supplement this income. This phase of the project will be executed only after the foundation and its partners have explained the project to interested people in the community and come to an agreement about their participation. The participants will help with planting and will be responsible for caring for and protecting the plants. When the plants are ready, they will be harvested and sold to the businesses that were previously contacted with the bulk of the profits going to the participants from the community.
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