Moroccan Agronomist Highlights Women's Role in Sustainable Argan Oil Production Amid Climate Challenges
Halima Lakhmissi, an agronomist at the National Agency for the Development of Oasis Areas and the Argan Tree (ANDZOA), emphasizes the significance of the argan tree in Morocco, which serves as an ecosystem, economic resource, and climate change defense. The argan forest stabilizes soil, supports biodiversity, and absorbs carbon dioxide.
The rising global demand for argan oil has fostered economic growth in producing regions, with women traditionally responsible for collecting and processing the fruit. ANDZOA aims to support cooperatives through training and standardization projects to enhance quality and traceability.
Due to ongoing drought since 2018, ANDZOA is planting 10,000 hectares of agricultural argan orchards to boost production. The International Argan Tree Fair facilitates connections between cooperatives and clients, highlighting the tree's vital social, environmental, and economic roles in Moroccan communities.
