Argan oil has gone from a natural, tribal ingredient to one of the most prized oils in the world as cosmetics companies have woken up to its anti-ageing properties. Women’s co-operatives have sprung up throughout the argan-producing region to meet the surge in demand. The all-women agricultural Cooperative Taitmatine owns more than 20,000 palm trees in the rural province of Taroudant, in southern Morocco. By employing over 100 women, the cooperative produces very high quality culinary and cosmetic oils while also improving the socio-economic conditions of rural women, increasing their income, their literacy (compulsory courses to be a member), work conditions, and social status. Additionally, as locals became involved in the production of argan oil, deforestation diminished, preserving the natural environment in the barren lands of south-western Morocco.

Argan oil has gone from a natural, tribal ingredient to one of the most prized oils in the world as cosmetics companies have woken up to its anti-ageing properties. The argan tree is grown almost exclusively in the barren lands of south-western Morocco. As demand surges, the tree is increasingly threatened from overuse, deforestation and even goats, which climb up the branches of the Argan tree to look sources of sustenance as drought-ridden meadows of Morocco fail to satiate them. The tree, however, acts as a natural barrier against the advance of the desert, prevents soil erosion, and protects water resources. The tree is so beneficial to the environment that Morocco’s argan forest was declared a Biosphere Reserve by Unesco in 1998. Still, the forest has been threatened with deforestation, as local people chopped down the trees for building materials and firewood. With the increase in demand for argan oil, locals became involved in the production of argan oil and deforestation diminished. In particular, women’s co-operatives have sprung up throughout the argan-producing region to meet the surge in demand. Previously, women in small family businesses of two or three people would collect the argan fruit and extract its oil. Their husbands or brothers would then sell the oil in local markets or exchange it for sugar and other goods. In recent years, women-led cooperative have started changing the production model and employed women directly, providing them with an income, as well as a social experience and improved status.

The all-women agricultural Cooperative Taitmatine was created on October 2002. It bring together over 100 women living in the rural province of Taroudant, in southern Morocco. The cooperative is committed to producing very high quality culinary and cosmetic oils while also improving the socio-economic conditions of rural women by increasing their income, their literacy (compulsory courses to be a member) work conditions, and social status. The cooperative was financed by the Principality of Monaco and constructed by the Ibn Al Baytar Association with the support of the Mohammed V University in Rabat.

Covering an area of ​​about 1000 hectares, the palm grove plantation owned by the cooperative is home to more than 20,000 palm trees. Proper cultivation now results in rich land where wheat, barley, corn and a multitude of vegetables grow abundantly. Thus, the conservation of the argan tree and the enhancement of the products is helping to preserve the maroccan natural environment. Additionally, the argan oil trade is shifting general attitudes towards women in the country. As well as access to education and healthcare, the cooperative provides women with an opportunity to earn money and a newfound independence that is changing their social status.