Foundation Dar Si Hmad

Word from the president

Lalla Messaouda

For Dar Si Hmad Foundation, 2023 is emblematic of integrated biological control against the cochineal, Dactylopius Opuntiae, a project partly financed by UNDP funds and partners, launched in June 2021 and concluded in July 2023. For two years, we have committed to making this pilot project a successful example that demonstrates that an alternative treatment action to the chemical protocol is possible.

To remedy the quasi-total devastation of the centuries-old prickly pear cultivation in the Southwest region of Morocco since its introduction from the Canary Islands, we have used local resources and brought a natural predator, both are now proven methods. We consider the Hyperaspis Trifurcata predator, we have fondly named Ms. Blessed-Happy! (Lalla Messaouda), welcomed from Mexico and well acclimatized to the conditions of the Anti-Atlas, to be a significant advancement in local biological control. A conference on the Cactus organized by the International Network for Research and Innovation on the Cactus (IIINOCA) in Mexico, attended by the team from Dar Si Hmad Foundation, showed us how this cactus world is maintained through a sustainable balance. Since the official closing of this Mealybug project, we have been sharing and disseminating its results widely, and we especially continue producing Lalla Messaouda under the most suitable conditions.

2023 is also marked by the launch of the Moroccan state initiative, led by the Ministry Delegate to the Head of Government, to develop a national strategy for employment in the world of NGOs and associations. Dar Si Hmad Foundation was among the invited stakeholders in these sessions and, like civil society, we await a significant return to consolidate and recognize the efforts of associations, now major actors in the global institutional landscape. We also won the very competitive Deloitte 2 International Fellowship, and throughout 2023 and at the closing of the program, Fondation Dar Si Hmad benefited from a thorough audit of all our administrative, communication, and fundraising procedures from this world-renowned consultant group.

For the remaining of our other projects and initiatives, all with strong territorial roots, fog water continues to provide hope as drought persists. Our Seed-Library continues to barter seeds and ecological practices, and we celebrate our cultural traditions such as Id Yanayer marked this year by dance and discussion from actors across the Amazigh NGO world in Ifni on January 13th. We revived Assayss, an older communal practice and social cement in Amazigh villages, now launched as a poetry competition for young Amazigh speakers; a strong moment for our engaged youth concerned with perpetuating our heritage. Our didactic courses and actions in 2023 have continued to bring positive impacts: we are proud of our Training of Trainers program in partnership with the Souss-Massa Academy, our Applied Ethnographic School, partly held in Essaouira as part of the Argan tree study program, and ultimately the same children who drink fog water and benefit from our water school initiative.

2023 is a rich year in activities and positive impact. We thank all our partners for continuing to believe in our actions and support us.

Address

Agadir

App B4 Imm Hamria, Avenue Al Moukaouama
Agadir 80020 - Morocco

SIDI IFNI

Avenue Hassan 1er Sidi Ifni - Morocco

PO Box

PO Box 20686 Agadir Principale Agadir 80000 Morocco

Phone

(+212) 528 84 30 65

Mail

info@darsihmad.org

Contact Us

Address (AGADIR)

App B4 Imm Hamria, Avenue Al Moukaouama
Agadir 80020 - Morocco

Address (SIDI IFNI)

Avenue Hassan 1er Sidi Ifni
Tiznit - Morocco

Phone

(+212) 528 84 30 65

Mail

info@darsihmad.org