03 Oct L’Arganier est une espèce relique du Maroc couvrant 830’000 Ha
TheArgan tree or Argania spinosa is a plant of the Sapotaceae family.This tree is distinguished by a short trunk, often gnarled, with low branches and thorny leaves , d’où son nom spinosa, which means "thorny". The argan tree isvery resistant and can live up to 200 years, adapting excellently to the aridity of southwestern Morocco.
C’est une espèce relique du Maroc où Il se serait répandu durant l’the Tertiary era alors que le climat était chaud et tempéré. C’est dans le royaume chérifien où on retrouve la quasi-totalité estimée à 20 millions d’arbres répartis sur 830 000 hectares. La plus importante population d’arganiers se situent dans la région du Souss region, which covers nearly 800,000 hectares (14.25% of Morocco's forest).
✔️ The Argan tree is an exceptional resource giving it the status of biosphere reserve of the Arganeraie
Because of its roles as a rampart against erosion and the advance of the Saharan desert, and as a major economic resource for the inhabitants of Souss-Massa (Between Agadir and Essaouira), the vast argan grove in this region has enjoyed the status of Réserve de biosphère de l’arganeraie.
Parmi ces usages, l’arganier fournit un very hard wood called ironwood.It is mainly used as firewood. The leaves, the pulp or its fruit provide fodder for goats and camels. Its almonds are used to extract argan oil and cake for cattle fattening.
Les locaux produisent à partir de son fruit l’huile d’argan for cooking, medicine or cosmetics. The Argan nut contains one to three albuminous and oily almonds and gives up to 55% oil. This mythical tree provides subsistence for thousands of rural families offering 20 million days of work per year.
✔️ Argan, a protected geographical indication
The Protected Geographical Indication of Argan Oil (PGI) carried by AMIGHA* is a label adopted within the framework of law 25/06 carried by the Ministry of Agriculture in June 2008 and published in the official bulletin n°5805 of January 18, 2010.
This label certifies that the approved product derives its authenticity and typicality from its geographical origin; responds to fixed specifications and defines the delimitation of its geographical area.
It is important to note that the implementation of the PGI Argane benefits from the support of the Souss-Massa-Drâa Region, the Aquitaine Region in France and the European Union.
*Association Marocaine de l’Industrie Géographique de l’Huile d’Argane