On the west coast of Morocco, a small farming community launched an ecological seed bank in 2021. Despite years of drought, local farmers realized the importance of seeds for their future. The seed bank sources indigenous seeds from Morocco and Europe, focusing on traditional, drought-resistant varieties that thrive in dry conditions, producing better crops. Previously, farmers relied on costly, imported, genetically modified seeds that were unsuitable for Morocco’s hot climate.
Now, they use traditional varieties of corn, wheat, and alfalfa, which need less water. Seeds are stored in carefully labeled jars inside sun-dried clay houses, maintaining the ideal storage conditions. Half of the seeds are kept in the seed bank, while the remainder are given to farmers for cultivation. The seed bank farmers can now grow fully organic, marketable produce. By reducing reliance on water-hungry, imported seeds, they are becoming more self-sufficient despite times of drought.
