Rains Revive Argan Producers' Hopes, But Overgrazing Threatens Sustainability

Recent rainfall in Morocco has revived optimism among argan oil producers, with the Interprofessional Federation for the Argan Sector (FIFARGANE) anticipating a relative improvement in productivity. This comes after several consecutive years of drought, a period that severely impacted the industry. The federation, however, also highlighted a persistent challenge: rampant and unregulated grazing, which continues to undermine the long-term viability of the argan sector.

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The rainfall this year has revived hope in the hearts of those involved in producing and marketing argan and its derivatives, especially when we consider the number of direct and indirect job opportunities it creates for various professional groups, primarily women.

Mohammed Oussiad, president of FIFARGANE, expressed that the year's rainfall has rekindled hope for those involved in producing and marketing argan oil and its derivatives. He emphasized the sector's importance in creating direct and indirect employment, particularly for women. Oussiad noted that current season indicators are positive compared to previous years, with expectations of increased raw material output next year, as argan trees respond well to rainfall, boosting their productivity.

Oussiad described overgrazing as a complex problem, involving encroachment on private property by thousands of camels and other livestock. This practice, he explained, negates the efforts made to ensure sustainable production and benefit rightful stakeholders, especially in rural areas. To address this, provincial authorities have issued decrees defining specific grazing periods, known as 'akdal,' to protect small producers, a measure requested by FIFARGANE. The scale of damage in affected regions is considerable, he stated.

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Grazing is a thorny problem for the argan sector, as there is encroachment on others' property using thousands of camels and other livestock by outsiders to the field. This undermines all efforts made to ensure the sustainability of production and the benefit of rights holders, especially in rural areas.

The argan sector is not just an economic resource but also a cultural heritage for eight Moroccan provinces. In 2019, approximately 1,500 tons of argan oil were exported, involving 840 cooperatives and benefiting over two million rights holders, alongside major companies. Oussiad stressed the unacceptability of grazing practices that destroy this effort, calling for collective responsibility to protect the sector through legal means. He also advised against forcibly harvesting argan fruits, as it harms the trees and future flowering.

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For this purpose, governors in several provinces have issued decisions precisely defining the periods of 'akdal' to alleviate harm to small producers, at the request of our interprofessional body. The extent of damage in several territorial areas is unimaginable.

Furthermore, Oussiad noted the growing economic benefits for rural women from the argan sector. FIFARGANE is committed to ensuring these women sell raw materials at fair prices to companies, bypassing intermediaries. They are increasingly aware of market price fluctuations. The federation prioritizes ensuring that the added value benefits the women who protect the raw material and the argan trees. Oussiad criticized the significant price disparity between raw material purchased from rural women at low prices and the final retail price of argan oil, which can range from 700 to 800 dirhams. A program contract signed with the state, involving four ministries, aims to enhance argan value addition, with a goal to reduce raw material exports and increase local processing to 50 percent by 2030, ensuring producers capture more of the generated value.

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It is unacceptable that we allow grazing practices that destroy all this effort. Therefore, we must be responsible, each in our position, and ensure protection by the force of law.