{"id":17098,"date":"2020-09-10T12:39:13","date_gmt":"2020-09-10T12:39:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/highatlasfoundation.org\/?p=17098"},"modified":"2021-02-05T10:34:53","modified_gmt":"2021-02-05T10:34:53","slug":"golden-seeds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wordpress-haf.ddev.site\/golden-seeds\/","title":{"rendered":"Golden Seeds"},"content":{"rendered":"

HAF Project Manager<\/em><\/p>\n

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FR<\/u><\/strong>\u00c9 Skincare and HAF Partnering with Argan Cooperatives in Essaouira<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Argania Spinosa<\/em> is the only type of argan tree around the world; it\u2019s a tree endemic to Morocco and characteristic of North Africa for its biological, nutritional, socioeconomic, and ecological value.<\/p>\n

Argania Spinosa<\/em> wood is an excellent source of charcoal. The tree\u2019s fruit contains a highly nutritious oil<\/a> used cosmetically and for cooking, and the leaves are used for feeding animals. These distinctive characteristics led, in 1925, to the issuance of a special legislation for the conservation of this type of tree.<\/p>\n

The argan tree grows in abundance in arid and semi-arid regions of southwest Morocco. This climate suits the species, as it is resistant to drought and heat. In the right conditions, the argan tree can grow as tall as eight or ten meters. This tree is distinguished by its evergreen leaves. However, an argan tree can fall into decay after a severe drought.<\/p>\n

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Geographical area of the argan tree in Morocco<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

In Morocco, there are an estimated 830,000 hectares of argan groves, totaling around 21 million trees. Almost 90% of the rural economy in the argan region is dependent on the argan agroforestry system.<\/p>\n

The rehabilitation and protection of this tree in Morocco necessitated the concerted efforts of many bodies, including scientific research centers in Morocco, the Moroccan water and forest management, and women’s cooperatives who produce argan oil in addition to the intervention of civil society institutions and associations.<\/p>\n

In this regard, the High Atlas Foundation intervenes, as it works hard to preserve the natural heritage of Morocco, by setting strategies and projects for the purpose of promoting tree planting, especially the argan tree, due to its aforementioned importance and its status among Moroccans.<\/p>\n

In this article, I will discuss HAF\u2019s relationship with the argan tree from the seed to fruit.<\/p>\n

During the past twenty years, HAF has created 11 nurseries<\/a>, distributed throughout 7 of Morocco\u2019s provinces, in partnership with different national organizations, including the: Ministry of Water and Forest, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Jewish-Moroccan community, local associations, and Ecosia. HAF is proud to work with FR\u00c9 Skincare to support women\u2019s cooperatives in their empowerment journey and their cultivation, processing, and sales of argan product.<\/p>\n

Each nursery has its own story and specific goals.<\/p>\n

In 2014, HAF formed a partnership with the cooperative and the local association of Imagdal commune<\/a>, in the Marrakech region. There, the collaborating parties established a nursery for planting both argan and carob seeds – both being classified as forestry trees in Morocco.<\/p>\n

Imagdal nursery is the model for HAF’s nurseries in regards to its infrastructure and production techniques. Hassan Ait Ba, is the caretaker of Imagdal nursery. Hassan has a background in fruit trees, as well as medicinal and aromatic herbs. He is very passionate about tree planting.<\/p>\n

Over the years, Hassan carried out several experiments and followed the training he received from expert-technicians from the High Commission for Water and Forests and Combating Desertification. In his research, he found that argan seeds have a specific method in planting, involving:<\/p>\n