RABAT – The Moroccan agricultural cooperative sector is a key player in self-employment and income generation through territorial anchoring, the Policy Center for the New South (PCNS) said recently in a report.
Entitled “Sustainability of Agricultural Cooperatives and Relevance of Start-up Programs: Evidence from Cooperatives in Morocco,” the policy brief, states that the cooperative model is a powerful lever for promoting decent employment, fostering inclusive growth, reducing poverty and inequality, and preserving the environment, thus contributing to the achievement of several aspects of the Sustainable Development Goals [SDGs].
However, PCNS regrets that nearly 20 percent of cooperatives in Morocco become inactive within the first few years of their creation. This, PCNS says, is due to obstacles related to governance, management, marketing, legislation, supervision, and financing.
In this sense, the document argues that the sustainability and success of the agricultural cooperative sector is closely linked to its adherence to the principles of sustainable development. “This requires the consideration of economic, social and environmental factors in decision-making and operations, responsiveness to changes in the external environment and the adoption of sustainable practices.”
The Moroccan think tank thus highlighted the impact of the “Mourafaka” programme on the sustainability of agricultural cooperatives in Morocco, stressing that this scheme improves the sustainability of agricultural cooperatives by strengthening their management, governance and market.
Cooperatives in Morocco play a vital role in the country’s economic and social development — there were about 47,000 across the country last year benefiting local businesses and communities. The cooperatives in the country are critical components of the agriculture, artisan, and tourism sectors, among many others.
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