Rural Moroccan farmers need to transition from subsistence to sustainable agriculture. With this charity project, farming families plant organic fruit seeds (fig, date, cherry, pomegranate, and more) and plants (thyme, oregano, lavender, and others) in community nurseries. Villagers request these trees and plants because they do not require pesticides, have a high market value, and allow local people to use their maintenance and marketing skills. Donate now to plant organic trees!
Eighty-five percent of rural Moroccan households earn less than the national average income. Farming families primarily cultivate barley and corn on more than 70% of agricultural land, yet this accounts for only 10-15% of agricultural revenue. Population growth and the low market-value of those staple crops make this unsustainable, compelling farmers to transition to cash crops, most commonly fruit trees, for greater income. However, saplings purchased from private nurseries are too costly.
This project builds community-managed organic fruit tree nurseries, giving local people access to free or low-cost saplings as a sustainable income source. Aromatic plants grown among the trees provide supplemental yield that can be sold as herbs and spices, soaps, oils, and cosmetics. HAF works with local cooperatives (including women and youth) to train them as agriculturalists. They learn methods of growing trees and plants and monitoring outcomes as integrated solutions to their challenges.
HAF has already planted more than five million fruit trees with thousands of farmers in Moroccan communities. Anchored crops prevent serious soil erosion and promote more effective water use. HAF anticipates increased income for 5,500 households per year from fruit sales, reduced soil erosion, additional income from edible herb production, empowered women and youth with technical skills in managing organic nurseries, and diversified household diets with more fruit consumption.
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