Gathering for the Future of Moroccan Pastoralism

The Tifsa Atlas Association for Sustainable Development (TASD) is set to host the inaugural National Conference on Pastoral Transhumance in Morocco, scheduled for October 15-16, 2026. This significant event will take place in the Commune of Oum Errabia, located in the Province of Khénifra, right in the heart of the Moroccan Middle Atlas. This region is renowned for its rich pastoral heritage, which is among the most diverse in Africa.

This conference marks a pivotal moment in the national initiative aimed at documenting and preserving Moroccan pastoral transhumance alongside the Agdal system, a traditional governance framework that has facilitated collective management of rangelands for centuries. Approximately 15,000 to 20,000 pastoral households across the Middle Atlas rely on this system. Despite its cultural significance, this living heritage has not yet been recognized on the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, while European transhumance was successfully inscribed in 2019.

Key Goals and Aspirations

The conference aligns with the objectives of the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP) 2026 by focusing on several critical areas. Firstly, it aims to document and celebrate the traditional pastoral knowledge held by indigenous Amazigh communities, representing the first comprehensive documentation of its kind in Morocco. Furthermore, the conference seeks to establish a national scientific and policy network dedicated to pastoral transhumance and the Agdal system.

In addition, concrete public policy recommendations will be formulated to protect pastoral spaces, especially in the face of climate change challenges. The conference will also explore innovative economic models, such as the establishment of an Atlas Pastoral School and Mobile Green Shelters, designed to sustain the livelihoods of pastoral communities. A significant outcome of this gathering will be the adoption of the 'Oum Errabia Declaration on Pastoral Transhumance,' which will serve as a national reference document. Lastly, the conference will lay the groundwork for a future candidacy dossier for UNESCO inscription, planned for 2027-2028.

As reported by fao.org.

Contact Information

For further information, please contact Mohamed Souhassou, President of the Tifsa Atlas Association for Sustainable Development.