The Tamesis
As she grew older, Temaghrite chose to stay in the industry. “I continue because it’s part of who we are,” she told me, explaining that she was also drawn to the sense of community. “We work side by side, talk and sometimes sing. Everyone has their own job, but we help each other. It feels more like a team effort than an individual job.” The industry also has strong financial appeal. “It’s very important, especially for a family like ours,” explains the picker. “The money from harvest season can help us in the coming months.”
Mariam Tarhalt, a 27-year-old local picker, told me she, too, relies on the work. “I didn’t start at a young age like a lot of other people,” she said. “I was about 18 when I started working. At that time, I needed to help my family financially.” Tahat’s income during this season gave her a sense of financial independence. “I usually save a portion and use the rest for family needs,” she said. “It also helps me avoid being overly reliant on others, which is important to me.”
Still, the job is not without its uncertainties. “Some seasons are lighter than others, so your income isn’t always the same,” Tahat laments. “Another difficulty is that prices can change based on demand.”
Photo: Anissa Dural
Photo: Anissa Dural
Since the beginning of the 21st century, in order to solve the problem of low and volatile wages, people have begun to work hard to diversify the market. Roses were once sold directly to middlemen or factories. Now, local co-ops and independent businesses are offering women another path. “Since 2008, many cooperatives have been established in the Kelâat M’gouna region with the support of the ‘Morocco Green Plan’,” explains Mohamdi. “These production facilities represent new economic opportunities, especially for women, many of whom face economic and social exclusion.”
In the cooperative, women are encouraged to sort, process and distill the roses into products themselves. In addition to the annual income, profits are equally distributed among the workers. “We have more control and the income is more equitable,” Temagrit said. The women also have the opportunity to showcase their heritage at international and national agricultural fairs. “Thanks to the cooperatives, many women are leaving their villages for the first time in their lives,” Mohammadi said.
