The OCP Group’s Al Moutmir initiative, launched in 2018 to bring science-driven agricultural support directly to farmers, will mark the International Day of Rural Women on Oct. 13 with a national event celebrating female-led agricultural cooperatives as drivers of sustainable and inclusive growth.
The event, held at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) in Benguerir, will gather researchers, government officials, international organizations, business leaders, and rural women from across Morocco to explore the theme: “Women-led Agricultural Cooperatives: Collective Power for a Sustainable and Inclusive Agriculture in Africa.”
Organized by the Al Moutmir team, the day will spotlight the essential role of rural women in advancing agricultural development, food security, and social innovation. Panels and workshops will focus on how cooperatives are helping women overcome challenges such as limited access to land, training, technology, and markets.
Empowering rural women through “ElleMoutmir”
Central to the initiative is ElleMoutmir, a dedicated program supporting rural women by strengthening their agricultural, entrepreneurial, and leadership skills. The program targets four key groups, women farmers, female agricultural input resellers, women-led cooperatives, and young leaders, with the goal of fostering inclusive, resilient food systems.
ElleMoutmir has directly supported 1,000 women farmers through soil testing, capacity-building programs, and market connections, while also backing over 400 women’s cooperatives and 26 women resellers through digital tools, training, and networking opportunities.
Additionally, 200 young women leaders have benefited from mentorship and business linkage programs.
The initiative combines hands-on fieldwork with scientific approaches and digital innovation. Through platforms such as @tmar, a mobile advisory app, and T@swiq, a digital marketplace, Al Moutmir helps farmers access real-time agricultural data, market prices, and commercial opportunities while bridging the digital divide in rural communities.
Building lasting impact
ElleMoutmir’s model is based on five strategic pillars: soil analysis, customized training through “field schools,” local leadership engagement, innovation tailored to community needs, and scaling impact through digital tools.
Its community-based approach encourages peer learning and knowledge sharing among women farmers. For example, during a recent “community of practice” meeting, Ihassan Hamoudan, president of the Biosalim cooperative, shared her successful experience cultivating sorghum, later distributing seeds to fellow farmers across six Moroccan regions, a gesture that embodied collective intelligence and solidarity.
A growing network of change
To date, Al Moutmir has supported more than 40,000 farmers directly and over 540,000 indirectly through its digital platforms, positioning itself as a model for inclusive agricultural transformation.
“Recognizing and supporting women as key agents of change is vital to building a more resilient and sustainable future,” said Mohamed Aldich, president of the Civil Coalition for the Mountain and a partner in rural development efforts.
The Al Moutmir Awards will also be presented during the Oct. 13 event to honor outstanding women who have made exemplary contributions to sustainable agriculture.
Through science, innovation, and local empowerment, OCP’s Al Moutmir initiative continues to promote an agriculture that is not only more productive but also more equitable, resilient, and environmentally responsible, “because justice for the farmer,” the team says, “means justice for Morocco as a whole.”
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