Description of the Gap between Local Agricultural Practices and Agroecological Soil Management Tools in Zerhoun and in the Middle Atlas Areas of Morocco
Agroecology is an agricultural, holistic, and innovative approach, which aims to increase the effectiveness, efficiency, and sustainability of agricultural systems. This approach is very rewarding for agriculture in developing countries, mainly in arid zones where water resources are in sharp declin...
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MDPI AG
2023-01-01
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| Series: | Land |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/2/268 |
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| author | Aziza Irhza Laila Nassiri Moussa El Jarroudi Fouad Rachidi Rachid Lahlali Ghizlane Echchgadda |
| author_facet | Aziza Irhza Laila Nassiri Moussa El Jarroudi Fouad Rachidi Rachid Lahlali Ghizlane Echchgadda |
| author_sort | Aziza Irhza |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Agroecology is an agricultural, holistic, and innovative approach, which aims to increase the effectiveness, efficiency, and sustainability of agricultural systems. This approach is very rewarding for agriculture in developing countries, mainly in arid zones where water resources are in sharp decline. In this study, we examined farmers’ knowledge by studying existing agricultural production systems and agricultural practices in Moulay Driss Zerhoun (S1) and the Middle Atlas (S2) in central Morocco, to assess the gap between them and the principles and recommendations of agroecology. Data were collected through a survey of 64 farmers, and through field trips and observations. Collected data were analyzed with Chi-square tests and canonical correspondence analysis. Most farms (63.3% in S1 and 52.9% in S2) have an area between 0 and 5 ha. Both areas frequently opt for agroforestry. Olive trees and annual crops (85%), olive trees and fodder crops (10%), and olive trees and market garden crops (5%) are the most recorded associations. Olive trees were used frequently in association with other fruit trees, such as almond trees (15%), carob trees (13%), and fig trees (5%). Of farmers practicing agroforestry, 70% use only organic fertilizers. Thus, 53% of the farmers interviewed at the level of the S2 zone cultivate vegetable crops, against 17% at the level of S1, and only 40% of the farmers of S1 use irrigation, while 60% depend on rainfall. On the other hand, 83.3% of farmers in S1 adopted a two-year rotation—cereals and legumes—against 30% in S2. Tillage or plowing is considered by farmers a necessary procedure before sowing, and, only in S2, 71% of farmers opt for annual tillage of their land for agroforestry. Based on multivariate analysis, the choice of crops was significantly influenced by region and type of organization. However, it was not influenced by topography or farmland size, and the land and area played an important role in the selection of crop types. Raising awareness and introducing agroecological practices in the two study areas based on local knowledge seems essential, with the aim of strengthening the resilience of agroecosystems, respecting the environment, and guaranteeing the sustainability of small farmers through the diversification of their productions. The obtained results from this work are the first in this field of study and constitute a basis for comparative investigations. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T08:34:30Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-594944a88d6c45c0b622b83c49ad1ffa |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-445X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T08:34:30Z |
| publishDate | 2023-01-01 |
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| spelling | doaj.art-594944a88d6c45c0b622b83c49ad1ffa2023-11-16T21:34:59ZengMDPI AGLand2073-445X2023-01-0112226810.3390/land12020268Description of the Gap between Local Agricultural Practices and Agroecological Soil Management Tools in Zerhoun and in the Middle Atlas Areas of MoroccoAziza Irhza0Laila Nassiri1Moussa El Jarroudi2Fouad Rachidi3Rachid Lahlali4Ghizlane Echchgadda5Plant Ecology Unit, Department of Plant Protection and Environment, National School of Agriculture, Meknes 50001, MoroccoPlant Ecology Unit, Department of Plant Protection and Environment, National School of Agriculture, Meknes 50001, MoroccoDepartment of Environmental Sciences and Management, SPHERES Research Unit, University of Liège, 6700 Arlon, BelgiumPlant Ecology Unit, Department of Plant Protection and Environment, National School of Agriculture, Meknes 50001, MoroccoPlant Ecology Unit, Department of Plant Protection and Environment, National School of Agriculture, Meknes 50001, MoroccoPlant Ecology Unit, Department of Plant Protection and Environment, National School of Agriculture, Meknes 50001, MoroccoAgroecology is an agricultural, holistic, and innovative approach, which aims to increase the effectiveness, efficiency, and sustainability of agricultural systems. This approach is very rewarding for agriculture in developing countries, mainly in arid zones where water resources are in sharp decline. In this study, we examined farmers’ knowledge by studying existing agricultural production systems and agricultural practices in Moulay Driss Zerhoun (S1) and the Middle Atlas (S2) in central Morocco, to assess the gap between them and the principles and recommendations of agroecology. Data were collected through a survey of 64 farmers, and through field trips and observations. Collected data were analyzed with Chi-square tests and canonical correspondence analysis. Most farms (63.3% in S1 and 52.9% in S2) have an area between 0 and 5 ha. Both areas frequently opt for agroforestry. Olive trees and annual crops (85%), olive trees and fodder crops (10%), and olive trees and market garden crops (5%) are the most recorded associations. Olive trees were used frequently in association with other fruit trees, such as almond trees (15%), carob trees (13%), and fig trees (5%). Of farmers practicing agroforestry, 70% use only organic fertilizers. Thus, 53% of the farmers interviewed at the level of the S2 zone cultivate vegetable crops, against 17% at the level of S1, and only 40% of the farmers of S1 use irrigation, while 60% depend on rainfall. On the other hand, 83.3% of farmers in S1 adopted a two-year rotation—cereals and legumes—against 30% in S2. Tillage or plowing is considered by farmers a necessary procedure before sowing, and, only in S2, 71% of farmers opt for annual tillage of their land for agroforestry. Based on multivariate analysis, the choice of crops was significantly influenced by region and type of organization. However, it was not influenced by topography or farmland size, and the land and area played an important role in the selection of crop types. Raising awareness and introducing agroecological practices in the two study areas based on local knowledge seems essential, with the aim of strengthening the resilience of agroecosystems, respecting the environment, and guaranteeing the sustainability of small farmers through the diversification of their productions. The obtained results from this work are the first in this field of study and constitute a basis for comparative investigations.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/2/268agroecologyagricultural practicessmall producersproduction systems |
| spellingShingle | Aziza Irhza Laila Nassiri Moussa El Jarroudi Fouad Rachidi Rachid Lahlali Ghizlane Echchgadda Description of the Gap between Local Agricultural Practices and Agroecological Soil Management Tools in Zerhoun and in the Middle Atlas Areas of Morocco Land agroecology agricultural practices small producers production systems |
| title | Description of the Gap between Local Agricultural Practices and Agroecological Soil Management Tools in Zerhoun and in the Middle Atlas Areas of Morocco |
| title_full | Description of the Gap between Local Agricultural Practices and Agroecological Soil Management Tools in Zerhoun and in the Middle Atlas Areas of Morocco |
| title_fullStr | Description of the Gap between Local Agricultural Practices and Agroecological Soil Management Tools in Zerhoun and in the Middle Atlas Areas of Morocco |
| title_full_unstemmed | Description of the Gap between Local Agricultural Practices and Agroecological Soil Management Tools in Zerhoun and in the Middle Atlas Areas of Morocco |
| title_short | Description of the Gap between Local Agricultural Practices and Agroecological Soil Management Tools in Zerhoun and in the Middle Atlas Areas of Morocco |
| title_sort | description of the gap between local agricultural practices and agroecological soil management tools in zerhoun and in the middle atlas areas of morocco |
| topic | agroecology agricultural practices small producers production systems |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/2/268 |
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