In the oases of the arid zones of North Africa, the date palm is the main source of income for farmers. However, only a minor part of date palm cultivation by-products is recovered and recycled.

ISFERALDA project aims at developing the recycling of date palm residues into an organic amendment to improve soil properties and soil fertility. Based on traditional production (composting, pyrolysis), the project will focus on refining processes and improving products’ quality and adequacy with local plant needs and substrate properties.

Innovative farming systems will be developed and contribute sustainable management of date production, generating income and creating employment as well as improving environmental parameters.

The influence of different kinds of organic amendments on environment, yield, and socio-economic development will be assessed. ISFERALDA will therefore design a new strategy to support agricultural practices within a framework acceptable to local actors and in line with the objectives of circular economy of local resources and sustainable development.