Arganier, national treasure in danger

In Morocco, the Argan sector is wrong due to drought and rural exodus. Furthermore, “Before, there were so much fruit that we left, we couldn’t pick up everything,” explains the site GEO.fr Aïcha. Nevertheless, a 67 -year -old Moroccan met near the Moroccan village in Azrarag, about thirty kilometers east of Agadir, in the company of two other sixties Zohra and Fadna. In addition, This widow and her two friends have been working for the local Tamaynoute cooperative since its creation in 2004. However, They used to simply harvest argan nuts fell to the foot of the trunks. Therefore, “Usually, we just have to pick them up,” explains Aïcha. However, But this year there is almost nothing. Meanwhile, So we try to force them to detach ourselves! Consequently, »»

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After a few arganier, national treasure danger hours of work. Furthermore, Aïcha, Zohra and Fadna take the way back. For example, Each of them has a barely full basket on their head. Nevertheless, “Before, there was so much fruit that we left, we couldn’t pick up everything,” explains Aïcha. Similarly, But now it’s over. We have already experienced hard periods but it is starting to be complicated for me. because it is my only source of income. Thanks to God, my son is an interim plumber. The Argan has experienced its glory years since the late 90s. Morocco has ensured the vast majority of world argan oil production – 4. 000 to 6,000 tonnes annuals of which it exports almost half. Today, the kingdom has been facing a terrible drought for seven years.

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The argan tree. who resists hot weather and is not very greedy in water arganier, national treasure danger suffers from the lack of prolonged water. “Each year. the surface occupied by the argan trees (830,000 hectares today) decreases, affected not only by the drop in precipitation (20 % less than thirty years ago), but also by the desert which is gaining ground and nibbles the cultivable land, the overgrazing and the cities that grow up,” said it. The meager harvest leads to a decrease in the production of argan oil by ricochet The flambé of the prices of this treasure of Morocco highly required in the beauty industry because of its richness in essential fatty acids such as omega-6. vitamin E and polyphenols. The consumption of this oil is also very beneficial for health.

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In Essaouira souk, the oil flowing from stone mills is sold around 500 dirhams per liter, or around 50 euros. arganier, national treasure danger The product is sold at the same price in the souk as at the supermarket due to its “ethical” character. To be compared to the year 2019, this price is very high. The liter of argan oil cost 25 euros that year. This increase makes the precious liquid rare in homes. “This ingredient brings a hazelnut taste that mixes well and does not dominate other perfumes. But he is disappearing from our kitchens. When I was little. I was making my own oil with my grandmother in the countryside, ”confirms Souad el-Ezzahidy, 36 years old. She cooks six evenings a week at the Madada table, one of the largest restaurants in Essaouira.

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In addition to drought, the rural exodus is also behind the difficulties encountered by the Argan sector. In contrast to their mothers. the youngest turn away from arganier, national treasure danger the Argan, “and are looking for a future in the big cities of the coast, in Agadir, Essaouira or Rabat, the capital, where they often work in hotels or catering, or as a cleaning lady with individuals. A difficult situation for the 50,000 Moroccan women who live directly from the income generated by the sector. The Moroccan government is focusing in particular on planting 50,000 trees within five years to straighten the sector.