By Jacqueline Seeley | Director of Development
As the nut harvest is coming to a peak, the HAF and HA3 teams are currently working on implementing the first ever purchase, processing and sale of organic certified walnuts and almonds. Organic certification has been secured and initial funding is available. Negotiations are underway with the Atlas farmers. Once product is obtained, it will be cleaned, packaged and shipped to the US.
HAF aims to acquire the agricultural waste from this harvest and uphold its zero waste commitment. Further updates following the harvest will be provided, once available.
Additional background information for further details:
High Atlas Agricultural and Artisanal (HA3) partners with farmers across Morocco to transform its agricultural system. Through replacing subsistence farming with a green economy—training farmers in organic agricultural methods and providing the infrastructure needed for this transition—HA3 lifts farmers out of poverty and paves the way for sustainable development.
The clean energy briquettes are a vital component to forging a green economy and embody HA3’s commitment to no waste. Converting agricultural waste such as walnut husks, fallen leaves, and sawdust, into briquettes provides rural households alternative sources for energy other than wood. Using the provinces of Al Houaz and Taroudant to implement pilot programs, HA3 teaches local farmers how to recycle materials so that they, in turn, can produce briquettes that can be used in the local communities as well as sold in both the national as well as international markets.
Additionally, the versatility in ingredients used to construct the briquettes enables the project to easily be adopted across Morocco’s differing landscapes. Here are some the project’s impacts:
1 Reduction in household pollution
2 Decrease in agricultural waste
3 Prevention and reduction of deforestation
4 Increases rural entrepreneurship
5 Diversification of income
6 Augments young girls school attendance as they are often the ones fetching wood
Thanks to your partnership HAF has been able to foster sustainable development and make notable progress towards transforming rural Morocco into a zero waste society.
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