Commodity chain : Argan - 2006

Crop

The Argan (Argania spinosa, sapotaceae family) grows in the Souss region over an area of approximately 1.8 million acres. This is a wild oleaginous tree, very resistant to heat (it survives at temperatures of 50°C (120°F), which can live up to 150 to 200 years. It can reach 8 to 10 metres in height. Source: "Gouvernance locale et coopération institutionnalisée - L'arganier entre valorisation et conservation (Morocco)" - Pierre Johnson

Surface Area

The argan tree is today classified in a biosphere reserve and the species is rapidly expanding. UNESCO promoted it to World Heritage, in need of special care and of total protection. UNESCO and many international NGO's have helped to create a natural reserve for this tree and have increased the awareness of local populations with regards to its protection.

Background history of the project

GIE Targanie is one of the first Economic Interest Groups created around the argan commodity chain. It was created in 2003 by the Ibn Al Baytar organisation.

Local Partners

GIE Targanine.

Context

Argan oil is produced in a semi-arid region of southern Morocco. This is a very poor region with no industry whatsoever and the agriculture is mainly one of survival.

Stakes

Two major stakes show up in the argan commodity chain: protection of the argan plantation on the one hand, and fight against poverty, specially that of women, in this rural region.

Program Description

The Economic Interest Group works on the following axis:

• Group purchasing;

• Export and local, Moroccan, distribution;

• Promotional advertising on the coops;

• Marketing;

• Quality labelling and fair trading;

• Supervisory staff training.

Companies being engaged in this Commodity Chain

Huilerie Emile Noel, LABORATOIRES E.V. ROIG