The Finnish Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Sari Essayah, conducted a field visit to the Maâmora forest on Thursday, March 26, 2026. Between the Dar Salem nursery and cork oak regeneration sites, the Kingdom unveiled its ambitions within the “Morocco Forests 2020-2030” strategy, positioning itself against European sector leaders.
The symbolism is strong: Finland, the most forested country in Europe (75% of its territory), is seeking insight into Moroccan experience in semi-arid zones. Welcomed by Abderrahim Houmy, Director General of the National Agency for Water and Forests (ANEF), the Finnish delegation delved into the heart of Maâmora, the largest cork oak forest in the world, for a lesson in climate resilience.
The Living Factory: The Dar Salem Nursery
The visit began with a crucial technical stop at the Dar Salem nursery, where the future of national reforestation is at stake. Ms. Essayah observed modern plant production techniques, the life cycles of local species, and optimized irrigation systems designed to conserve water resources.
The stakes are high: to succeed in its ecological transition, Morocco is focusing on robust plant production capable of withstanding increasingly extreme thermal conditions.
Goal 2030: 50,000 Hectares Planted Annually
At a regeneration site a few kilometers away, ANEF officials outlined the pillars of the “Morocco Forests 2020-2030” strategy. The figures highlight the scale of the undertaking:
- Planting Rate: 50,000 hectares per year.
- Production: Nearly 40 million plants annually.
- Priority: Densification of degraded areas and assisted natural regeneration.
The Finnish minister and Ambassador Marjaana Sall physically participated in the planting of new cork oaks, symbolically sealing bilateral cooperation.
An Exchange of Expertise: North-South
Although Scandinavian and Mediterranean ecosystems differ radically, there are numerous points of convergence: sustainable management, forest inventory, and fire prevention. “We benefit from Finland’s expertise, a true forestry nation,” emphasized Mr. Houmy.
For her part, Sari Essayah expressed that she was “impressed” by ANEF’s work, highlighting that forest management is a major lever for global sustainable development. This visit marks a shared intention to elevate Moroccan-Finnish cooperation to a higher level, where Finnish technological innovation meets Moroccan agility in arid environments.
With MAP