Agriculture in the Central Maghreb Between Traditional Heritage and Andalusian Influence from the 2nd to the 10th Century AH

Abstract

Agriculture is the backbone of the economic structure and the cornerstone of people's lives throughout different eras. This field has undergone significant changes in its features depending on each period, and land and agriculture have been closely linked to the development, progress, and political stability of nations. Undoubtedly, like other countries, the Central Maghreb paid great attention to this field, and this expertise stemmed from the deep-rooted connection of the land in the minds of the region’s inhabitants. Their traditional heritage included various methods and techniques for dealing with and cultivating the land according to their needs and requirements. Although these techniques may appear superficial to the observer, they effectively met the needs of the local population with the resources available in their land. They domesticated animals for plowing and used tools such as plows, shovels, threshing boards, sickles, and others. Their knowledge expanded with the influence of Andalusia on the people of the Central Maghreb. While agricultural work was initially based on simple tools without much depth, the inhabitants of the region later gained expertise in different types of land, identifying suitable crops for each type and the appropriate seasons for planting. They also advanced in developing irrigation methods, an area in which the Andalusians excelled. The Andalusians gained renown for their expertise in this field, producing scholarly works that focused on soil, plowing, and the types of fertilizers suitable for different lands. The impact of this knowledge was evident in the Central Maghreb, which absorbed and applied these agricultural advancements throughout successive states.