Hard but sweet-smelling slog in Morocco's Valley of the Roses
AFP|
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Before dawn
Distilling precious oils out of three kilos of roses earns a dollar at Morocco's Atlas Mountains. Women fill their bags with roses and carry it on their heads to the weighing station. The harvest goes on for six hours in the morninng before noon, as the sunshine damages the petals.
AFP
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Rosa Damascena
A kilo of essential oils needs about 4-5 tons of flowers. The process intoxicates the entire region as the Rosa Damascena is distilled slowly. In this area, everything revolves around the roses- from hotel names, to cosmetics and jewelery.
AFP
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Source of income
Before the pandemic hit, the annual festival at Keelat Mgouna with the rose statue attracted thousands of tourists. Harvesting roses is the only work in the valley, and families have co-ops across the valley where they distill the oil and rose water. Soaps, perfumes and creams are also produced.
AFP
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Window of opportunity
The roses have helped the area in terms of local development as the Valley could helm the way to boost the value of local roses worldwide. The farming is also organic, free of pesticides. Essential oils and other extracts are highly prized by the luxury perfume industry, which could be an opportunity for the people of the valley to increase their income and combat an exodus from rural areas.
AFP
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Pandemic impact
Morocco only exports 50 kilos of essential oils, which is far less than what Bulgaria and Turkey sells every year. The main buyers are tourists who visit the area, or are just passing by. The pandemic has led to a 30% decrease in sales.
