This paper argues that forest policy must be treated as a core component of integrated rural development rather than as a separate technical sector. Using Morocco as its main reference, it reviews the economic, ecological, and social functions of forests: wood and forage production, soil and water protection, climate regulation, biodiversity, recreation, and defense against erosion and desertification. The author shows that agriculture itself depends on upstream forest protection and warns against fragmented planning that ignores these interdependencies. The article calls for coordinated territorial planning and for greater recognition of forestry in national and regional development strategies.
Mohammed Ellatifi (Sun,) studied this question.