Certified Operator (Certification Applicant)Cooperative Ajddigue4 stars

Place, CountryEssaouira, Morocco

Certified Productsargan oilfair for life logo
Certification ProgrammeFair for Life - Social & Fair Trade Certification
Performance Rating
ChapterContent of the Fair For Life - Social & Fair Trade ProgrammeMaximumRating
1Core Principles and Values66
2Commitment to and Management of Fair Trade Policy245
3Respect of Human Rights and Decent Working Conditions11879
4Respect of the Environment11991
5Local Development and Community Relations1615
6Trading and Supply chain relations7047
7Empowerment4631
8Traceability, Transparency and Respect of the Consumer3218
9Managing Certification and Performance1716
Total Score Performance Rating308
Certification for fair trade and responsible supply chains
Impact, special achievements & commitmentsEN / FR

For several generations, Berber women have been extracting the precious Miraculous Tree Oil from the Argan tree. Several hours of hand work are required to collect the fruits, crush their cores and finally extract the oil from the small seeds that are inside. Traditionally, women were not allowed to work outside their homes, and their families depended on their husbands' income.

In 1996 the first women's cooperatives in Morocco were developed. The Argan area has quickly become of great national and international interest, not only for its unique and valuable Oil, but also for its socio-economic importance.

The rise of women's cooperatives is seen as an opportunity and an example for the empowerment, independence and development of rural women. One year later, in 1997, 17 women from the village of Tidzi decided to organize their own commercial activity and they created the first pioneer cooperative in the region of Essaouira: Ajddigue.

Ajddigue is the word for a flower in Amazigh, the Berber language. These women who are members of the cooperative produce, pack and market Argan oil together. Since its creation, the cooperative has benefited more than 100 women.
Objectives of creation
• Valorisation of women's know-how
• Improving the living conditions of rural women
• Valorization of argan oil
• Integration of rural women in the local development of their municipality


Depuis plusieurs générations, les femmes berbères extraient la précieuse Huile de l´arbre miraculeux de l´Arganier. Plusieurs heures de travail à la main sont nécessaires pour collecter les fruits, concasser leurs noyaux et enfin extraire l´huile des petits amendons qui se trouvent à l´intérieur. Traditionnellement, les femmes n´étaient pas autorisées à travailler en dehors de chez elles, et leur famille dépendait du revenu de leur mari.

En 1996 se sont développées les premières coopératives de femmes au Maroc. Le secteur de l´Argan est vite devenu d´un grand intérêt national et international, non seulement pour son unique et précieuse Huile, mais aussi pour son importance socio-économique.

L´essor des coopératives de femmes est vu comme une opportunité et un exemple pour l´émancipation, l´indépendance et le développement des femmes rurales. Un an plus tard, en 1997, 17 femmes du village de Tidzi ont décidé d´organiser leur propre activité commerciale et elles ont créé la première coopérative pionnière de la région d´Essaouira : Ajddigue.

Ajddigue est le mot qui désigne une fleur en Amazigh, la langue berbère. Ces femmes qui sont les membres de la coopérative produisent, emballent et commercialisent ensemble l´huile d´Argan. Depuis sa création, la coopérative a bénéficié à plus de 100 femmes.
Objectifs de la création
• Valorisation du savoir faire des femmes
• Amélioration des conditions de vie de la femme rurale
• Valorisation de l’huile d’argan
• Intégration de la femme rurale dans le développement local de sa commune

Reached percentage of the applicable Total Norm Points for the overall performance
Percentage77 %

Date of Certification
First06.11.2017
Last Update12.10.2020

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