The argan program in Morocco

Aim of the project

In 2001, Laboratoires Sérobiologiques and Professor Zoubida Charrouf of Rabat’s Mohamed V University, the founder of the Targanine cooperative network, set up a partnership with the aim to protect the biological richness of the Argan forest, to ensure fair trade and to support the local cooperative members, while contributing to the development of the commercial potential of the Argan sector in Morocco, including sustainable diversification of revenues.

Situation at the beginning of the project

The Argan tree (Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels) is a tree indigenous to southern Morocco, and is largely found in the south-east of Essaouria on the Souss plain, bordering the Sahara desert. The Argan forest, which extends over approximately 800,000 hectares and contains more than 20 million trees, acts as a natural barrier against the advance of the desert. Its fruit contains a very hard kernel which holds between one and three seeds, from which a valuable oil can be extracted.

The Argan forest is extremely important socio-economically as it supports over three million people (out of a population over 30 million people). Unfortunately, it is in decline, as a result of changes to rural lifestyles. Over-exploitation, soil erosion and desertification have all played a part, and as a result, Unesco classified the Argan forest as a Biosphere Reserve (RBA) in 1998. This designation is given to selected inland and coastal ecosystems where modern development can be reconciled with the conservation of biodiversity in practical ways.

Actions taken

· Technical cooperation with local partners : Laboratoires Sérobiologiques and Professor Zoubida Charrouf have studied the potential cosmetic value of the Argan leaves and by-products of the oil production, resulting in the commercialization of two innovative cosmetics actives from Argan fractions previously non-exploited, thus a diversification of revenues.

· Sustainable approach : an impact study conducted by Laboratoires Sérobiologiques, working in partnership with the Moroccan Water and Forests Authorities, has set clear guidelines for harvesting the Argan biomass in order to ensure its long term preservation in parallel to its economical development.

· Educational programs : educational programs on environmental protection have been introduced. As a result, network members have a better understanding of the value of the Argan tree and are more involved in its protection.

· Partnership in local initiatives : Laboratoires Sérobiologiques supplies itself directly through an approved network of cooperatives, that are mainly composed of women. The potential extra revenues are encouraging network members to maintain and expand Argan forests, following appropriate and respectful environmental practices.

Results

· Protection of the Argan forest : strict guidelines are followed during the harvesting and exploitation of the Argan natural resources. The leaves are co-products of proper maintenance policies on Argan parcels belonging to a convention with the Moroccan Water and Forests Authorities.

· Reforestation : the convention with Moroccan Water and Forest Authorities specifically implies commitments for maintenance of trees and reforestation of the parcel.

· Environmentally responsible processes : the supply chain guarantees that the Argan biomass is cultivated and harvested without using any chemical treatment, pesticides or fertilizers. The commercial product Lipofructyl Argan has been certified organic by Ecocert, which guarantees that they are derived 100% from organic farming.

· Fair trade : sharing of monetary benefits guides our pricing policy to the cooperatives. The price we pay to the local producers is at least equal to the market price, not negotiated, and our payment policy follows the fair trade guidelines.

· Local empowerment : in a scientific partnership between Laboratoires Sérobiologiques and local experts, new ways of processing other parts of the Argan tree were identified. These include by-products of the Argan oil production. Thus, the revenue of the local cooperatives are both increased and diversified.

· Protection of traditional knowledge : for newly identified applications, we co-filed the patents with our local partner, and guarantee that traditional knowledge and the geographical origin are listed and respected.

· Transparency : we inform our local partners about the evolution of the market and Laboratoires Sérobiologiques commercial strategy.

· Social benefits : our network of approved cooperatives employs a mainly female workforce and offers literacy and educational programs. Thereby we improve women’s integration into the society and their social status.

Evaluation

Isabelle Benoit, Global Marketing Manager, Laboratoires Sérobiologiques: “The cosmetic industry has felt the benefits of globalization for many years now, as it has led to an exchange of ideas between different regions and increased access to exotic materials. So it is only right that as a responsible company we pay attention to sustainability at a global level, including the fair sharing of profits and the respectful collaboration with local communities. Sourcing should be diversified and carried out in an environmentally responsible manner that is compatible with socio-economic considerations. The only way to protect biodiversity, and our shared heritage, is by working closely alongside local communities. Through the Argan program, we are sure to fulfil these goals in Morocco.

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