Written by: Hussein Ahmed

Every year on May 10th, the world celebrates International Tree Day. Pillars It is an international occasion with a purely Moroccan character, after this rare tree has become an environmental, economic and cultural symbol that transcends the borders of Morocco towards globalization.

A tree that protects the environment and supports women

The argan tree grows in specific areas of southwestern Morocco, within a harsh environment characterized by drought, high temperatures and desertification pressure, but over centuries it has developed an exceptional ability to withstand the elements, making it an essential element in protecting the soil from erosion and maintaining ecological balance.

The United Nations General Assembly adopted May 10 as International Argan Tree Day, in recognition of its environmental, social and economic importance, particularly in supporting local communities and promoting sustainable development.

The importance of argan is not only related to it being a tree, but also to its being part of an integrated lifestyle in rural Morocco, as its leaves, fruits and oil are involved in the details of the local economy, grazing, food and daily care.

Cosmetics, skincare and haircare

Although the world knows argan oil better than the tree itself, due to its widespread use in cosmetics, skin and hair care, this famous product hides behind it a long production journey that relies mainly on the expertise of Moroccan women within local cooperatives.

The production of oil goes through several stages, starting with collecting and drying the fruit, then extracting the kernel and grinding it before extracting the oil. This is a process that requires traditional knowledge and a lot of patience.

Argan oil

With the increasing global demand for argan oil, women's cooperatives have emerged, contributing to transforming this natural resource into a source of income and economic opportunities for women, while at the same time preserving an important part of the local heritage associated with the tree.

But this global fame has imposed increasing challenges, most notably pressure on natural resources, water scarcity, climate change, in addition to urban and pastoral expansion, which threatens the future of argan trees in their original homeland.

Reforestation

International organizations, including the Food and Agriculture Organization, emphasize that protecting argan trees requires balanced policies that include reforestation, support for cooperatives, regulation of economic exploitation, and promotion of scientific research on the tree’s ability to adapt to climate change.

At a time when global concerns about desertification and loss of biodiversity are increasing, the argan tree offers a unique model that combines environmental protection and support for local communities, remaining the green gold whose value lies not only in the oil, but also in the people, the land, and the heritage that its roots carry.