Diagnosis of the aromatic and medicinal plant sector in Morocco: Case of the cooperatives and associations of the Meknès-Tafilalt area

  • Mouhcine Fadil Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University,Faculty of Science and Technology Fez Sais, Department of Biology,Laboratory of Functional Ecology and Environment, PO Box 2202 - Road Imouzzer - FEZ - Morocco. Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, National Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Laboratory of Medicinal, Aromatic Plants and Natural Substances, PO Box 159, Taounate, 34025, Morocco.
  • Abdellah Farah Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, National Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Laboratory of Medicinal, Aromatic Plants and Natural Substances, PO Box 159, Taounate, 34025, Morocco.
  • Taoufik Haloui Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University,Faculty of Science and Technology Fez Sais, Department of Biology,Laboratory of Functional Ecology and Environment, PO Box 2202 - Road Imouzzer - FEZ - Morocco. Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, National Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Laboratory of Medicinal, Aromatic Plants and Natural Substances, PO Box 159, Taounate, 34025, Morocco.
  • Saâd Rachiq Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University,Faculty of Science and Technology Fez Sais, Department of Biology,Laboratory of Functional Ecology and Environment, PO Box 2202 - Road Imouzzer - FEZ - Morocco.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5209/rev_LAZA.2014.v35.42697
Keywords: Cooperatives, associations, Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, survey, socioeconomic impact, Meknès-Tafilalt, Morocco.

Abstract

The cooperatives and associations in the medicinal and aromatic plant (MAP) sector are completely dependent on thepressure of market demand, and their products need to comply with required quality criteria and delivery time constraints.We conducted a survey of the activities of the cooperatives and associations involved in the production of genetic plant resourcesand their socioeconomic impact in order to identify the problems affecting this sector, and to improve the MAP’sproduction conditions and the income of the marginalized rural population. This survey looked at 11 associations and cooperativesoperating in the Meknès-Tafilalt area in Morocco. The results of the botanical survey identified 30 species from12 families, exploited in their natural state for commercial use. The total annual production is 494 tons of dried plants. Rosemaryis the most widely used, with 23% of the total production, 19% of which is produced by the Ajaâbou Cooperative.However, the exploitation of these species in their natural state is haphazard, and presents a threat to the sustainability ofresources. The products are not properly identified, and few producers use good technical harvesting practices. To improvesustainable commercial potential and the competitiveness of the products, MAP cooperatives and associations should incorporatepractical standards of quality, traceability, good collection and cultivation of the species.

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Published
2014-09-15
How to Cite
Fadil M., Farah A., Haloui T. y Rachiq S. (2014). Diagnosis of the aromatic and medicinal plant sector in Morocco: Case of the cooperatives and associations of the Meknès-Tafilalt area. Lazaroa, 35, 155-166. https://doi.org/10.5209/rev_LAZA.2014.v35.42697
Issue
Vol. 35 (2014)
Section
Special Feature: Mountain Biodiversity patterns in Southern Europe and North Africa

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