Illegal logging, unregulated extraction of firewood and overgrazing are the main factors contributing to the degradation of the remaining Atlas cedar forests in Morroco. To address these issues, the Moroccan government has adopted the National Forestry Programme, which highlights the need for both protection and sustainable use of Moroccan forests. The German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture is supporting this process in order “to raise the sustainable and multi-functional management and valorization of forestry resources in Morocco”. In a consortium with Agriculture and Finance Consultants (AFC) as lead partner, UNIQUE was responsible for supporting and following up all technical forestry related issues.

• Development and consolidation of a digital timber traceability system.
• Introduction of effective forest inventory and planning procedures.
• Introduction and testing of silvicultural treatment concepts promoting timber quality.
• Elaboration of a regional value-added concept for cedar wood based on timber cluster models.