Field survey in Morocco

FIELD SURVEY IN MOROCCO (CIRSDe-UNITO)February 28th-March 15th, 2021

Monica went to Morocco in the frame of Task 5.2 "Social impact of vegetable crop innovation" with the great help of INRA-M partner and Migration & Développement.

She visited some horticultural cooperatives and associations in different locations in the region of Souss-Massa (SW Morocco) to analyse strengths and weaknesses of the female horticultural farms and barriers of women's work. In particular, she investigated the participation of the women and their role in horticultural sector, the division of labour between men and women and their access to resources.

The effects of climate change on cultivation methods and production, as well as the relevant management adaptations to cope with them, were explored .The field work was carried out in collaboration with INRA-Maroc and Migration & Développement.

Monica carried out interviews using two techniques: unstructured interviews to local stakeholders (i.e., cooperatives and associations members) and semi-structured interviews to key informants (i.e. representatives of associations and public structures).

She visited the following cooperatives and associations:

The Coopérative Le jardin de Touzaikou, Touzaikou, Ait Amira Chtouka, Ait Baha. This cooperative composed by 100% female members produces organic farming horticultural market goods commercialized mainly by direct-selling.

The Association Iqra, Tamait Oufella, Amskroud, Agadir Ida-ou Tanane. This association is constituted by families prduucing horticultural goods intended for their needs, hotels and souk market.

The Coopérative Ibharn village de Taghzoute, Arbâa Sahel, Tiznit. It involves the women in the seeds production and selection, sowing and seedling planting .

The Coopérative Ignaren, Tassousfi, Taliouine, Taroudant. The women of the association are specialized in cultivation and harvest of saffron, a characteristic product valorized and sold by local cooperatives.