The National Agency for Water and Forests of Morocco (ANEF) has taken a decisive step in its strategy to combat desertification with the massive deployment of the so-called Waterbox, smart reservoirs capable of capturing rainwater, dew, and ambient humidity to directly nourish the roots of trees.
This system, successfully tested in the Souss-Massa region, is integrated into the National Reforestation Plan, which seeks to restore degraded ecosystems in arid and semi-arid areas.
Technology at the service of resilience
The Waterbox functions as an autonomous device that:
- Captures rainwater and nighttime condensation.
- Stores the resource preventing evaporation.
- Gradually releases water to the plant’s root.
Thanks to this innovation, Morocco has managed to recover more than 1,200 hectares and achieve tree survival rates above 95%, a milestone in the fight against desertification.
Native species and biodiversity
The strategy prioritizes species of high ecological and economic value such as the argan, a symbol of Moroccan biodiversity.
The recovery of these forests not only protects local fauna and flora but also halts the desert’s advance toward inhabited areas.
Complement to other initiatives
The deployment of the Waterbox complements innovative projects such as:
- Fog capture nets in the Anti-Atlas.
- Application of artificial intelligence in the national irrigation network.
These measures are part of a macro-strategy to modernize water management and accelerate the transition to a model of climate resilience.
Social and economic benefits
Reforestation in Morocco not only combats desertification, it also:
- Mitigates extreme drought and captures carbon dioxide.
- Protects agricultural soils and silvopastoral systems.
- Generates rural employment, curbing the exodus to cities.
- Boosts local crops of great value such as cedar, thuja, and carob.
Long-term strategy
The country promotes the Morocco Forest Strategy (2020-2030), which aims for massive reforestation with native species and technologies that ensure survival in arid areas. This plan reinforces the conservation of Mediterranean forests, which harbor 75% of the terrestrial ecosystems of the basin and require constant repopulation in the face of grazing and erosion impacts.
The commitment to Waterbox marks a turning point in Morocco’s environmental management.
With more than 1,200 hectares recovered and trees achieving survival rates of 95%, the country demonstrates that technological innovation can be key to defeating the desert, protecting biodiversity, and ensuring the future of rural communities.
