Said Akkif Farm
Production of aromatic and medicinal plants
Said Akkif, a farmer in Had El Brachoua, Morocco, cultivates his land and raises his animals according to the principles of agroecology. Here is a portrait of his farm.
Context
The farm
- Farmer's name: Said Akkif
- Farm name: Said Akkif Farm
- Location: Had El Brachoua, Morocco
- Date of installation:
- Cultivated area: 4 ha.
- Soil texture: Loamy
- Number of people working on the farm (FTE) : 4.5 (0.5 for occasional labor)
- Altitude: 398 m
- Climate: According to the Köppen-Geiger climate classification, Rabat has a Mediterranean climate with hot summers (Csa). Temperatures generally range between 13 °C and 24 °C throughout the year, with extremes rarely dropping to 5 °C or rising to 39 °C. Average annual precipitation is about 383 mm, spread over 52 rainy days per year.
Labor
- The farm operates as a family cooperative.
- Four people work there: two women and their two husbands, who are brothers.
- They also occasionally hire workers, paid per task.
Marketing
- Packaging: All herbal teas (lemon balm, marigold, poppy or blends) are sold in 25-gram sachets. For lemon balm, this represents 7 MAD (for a 25g sachet).
- Channels: Products are sold in parapharmacies, a small quantity is sold at Carrefour, as well as in the markets of Rabat, Kenitra, and Casablanca.
- He previously sold through a basket system but the lack of water no longer allows him to ensure vegetable production.
Plant production
Said Akkif's farm is divided into 5 plots:
- Market gardening : on 2 ha
- Orchard of aromatic and medicinal plants (PPAM) : on 1 ha
- Camelina : on 2 ha
- Barley : on 1 ha
- Fallow : on 1 ha
- He also has several greenhouses (cold tunnel type) with shade netting (surface area not specified)
Animal production
They raise between 100 and 200 chickens, about ten rabbits, approximately 10 to 12 sheep, three cows with their calves, and a donkey.
Education, training and life path
- Said comes from a family of farmers. He worked in hospitality before returning to farming.
Farm history
- The family lands have been in melk ownership for 400 to 500 years. Originally, the family owned several thousand hectares, but successive inheritances have reduced the area to five hectares today.
- He inherited the land in 1992 and farmed it using conventional agriculture until 1996. At that time, he produced more than 1,000 quintals on 60 to 70 hectares, with an average of 25 to 30 quintals per hectare, using mechanized agriculture.
- In 1997, he began to question the use of chemical products, testing mint beds grown only with manure. His first organic harvest was sold entirely, and although sales slowed afterward, customers appreciated his commitment to chemical-free production.
- In 2005-2006, he was hired as manager of a bull breeding farm located near his home. He then continued his career in hospitality while managing the farm remotely.
- In 2015, he met Sena, an urbanite who proposed a commercial partnership around the sale of herbal teas. This collaboration further oriented him towards organic farming and encouraged him to develop herbal tea and seed crops, which consume less water and are more economically promising. Until then, he mainly grew vegetables and , but then diversified his production with an orchard and a wide range of aromatic and medicinal plants.
- Since the drying up of his traditional well, 3 years ago, located at 20 meters deep, he can only cultivate 20% of his market gardening area. This well is now insufficient, while the neighbor's well already reaches 200 meters and another neighboring farm has drilled about a hundred wells between 120 and 200 meters. He is currently awaiting authorization to dig a new well.
Note: The soil is loamy on the orchard plot containing the PPAM, while the other plots (market gardening, barley, camelina, and fallow) rest on clay soil; all plots have a record organic matter content for Morocco of 3.9%.
Practices of interest
Artisanal Dryer
Context
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For the drying of flowers (calendula, poppy…), Said designed and had manufactured an artisanal dryer adapted to herbal tea production: simple, robust, and financially accessible.
Objectives
- Have an efficient tool for homogeneous drying of medicinal plants.
- Reduce dependence on climatic conditions (rain, humidity).
- Ensure better quality of the finished product.
Steps implemented
- Design of the plan by the farmer himself
- Manufacturing carried out by two artisans: carpenter (2–3 h of work) and blacksmith (2–3 h as well)
- Total delay: 1.5 months to receive the tool (high demand from artisans)
Techno-economic results
- Initial cost (before COVID): ~1,000 DH (500 DH for wood, 300 DH for welding iron, and the rest for labor and small materials)
- Estimated cost today: ~2,000 DH (inflation).
- Dimensions: 2 m (h) × 80 cm (d) × 160 cm (w).
- Reliability: functional tool, meets current needs.
Environmental results
- Zero energy consumption (natural drying).
- Potential reduction of post-harvest losses thanks to more secure drying (less risk of mold).
Keys to success
- Simple design adapted to real needs.
- Quick mobilization of skilled artisans (carpenter + blacksmith).
- Robust structure allowing durable use.
Points of caution
- Potentially long manufacturing time (artisans very busy).
- Manufacturing cost sensitive to material price fluctuations.
- Need to anticipate implementation before first harvests.
Assessment
The artisanal dryer is an affordable and effective solution to secure the quality of flowers intended for herbal teas. It represents a relatively low investment for a significant benefit in terms of valorization. The current model remains sufficient, although a larger version would be desirable with more resources.
Production of dried poppy and calendula flowers
Context
Poppy and calendula are grown for herbal tea production using the artisanal dryer. These two flowers require very little water and benefit from a simple cultivation itinerary. They are planted in 25 m rows with 40 cm spacing between plants.
Objectives
- Produce dried flowers intended for direct sale.
- Stagger sowing and planting to ensure a regular harvest.
- Reduce water needs thanks to adapted species.
Steps implemented
- Sowing: done on seedbeds, staggered every 15 days to spread production.
- Planting: from February, in 25 m rows, 40 cm spacing, with a staggered schedule every 15 days.
- Harvest: between March and May, every morning. Harvest window of 10 to 15 days per cycle. Duration: 1 to 2 h depending on volume.
- Drying: flowers placed in an artisanal dryer, one tray per species, well spread out to avoid overlapping (5 to 10 min/tray).
- Storage: in 30 L containers (20 DH/unit), maximum shelf life of one year.
Techno-economic results
- Work:
- Planting a row (25 m): ~1h30/person.
- Harvest: 1–2 h per cycle.
- Drying: 5–10 min/tray.
- Investments:
- Artisanal dryer (≈ 2,000 DH today, see above).
- 30 L containers: 20 DH/unit.
- Shelf life: maximum 1 year (loss of taste and value beyond).
Environmental results
- Very low water needs → adapted to drought contexts.
- Limited use of inputs (manure only, 2 kg/year).
- Natural drying in an artisanal dryer → low energy footprint.
Keys to success
- Rigorous organization of staggered sowings for regular production.
- Daily morning harvest, at the right time.
- Controlled drying (flowers well spread in the dryer).
Points of caution
- Short harvest window (10–15 days).
- Loss of quality and value after one year of storage.
- Need to handle flowers carefully to avoid crushing.
Assessment
Poppy and calendula cultivation is simple, adapted to dry conditions, and requires few inputs. The main constraint remains managing the harvest schedule, which must be precise to ensure quality. Drying and storage are key steps to preserve the value of the flowers.
Production of dried lemon balm leaves
Context
Lemon balm is a perennial plant grown for its aromatic leaves, used by Said Akkif for infusion production. It is planted on a 300 m² area, with a simple itinerary based on an annual manure application and an artisanal drying method: bouquets are hung on strings outside the dryer. The cultivation mainly takes place in open field but can also be conducted under tropical greenhouse with shade netting, allowing mid-season production and extension of the growing cycle.
Objectives
- Produce dried lemon balm for direct sale.
- Spread the harvest from May to September (or up to ten months under greenhouse).
- Maintain a viable production despite drought and high heat.
Steps implemented
- Sowing: winter, under greenhouse, alveolar trays with 77 plants; regular irrigation.
- Transplanting: from March, in open field, every two weeks.
- Maintenance: 2 kg manure/year, irrigation adapted to climate.
- Harvest: monthly, from May to September (4–5 harvests/year).
- Drying: bouquets hung in open air, 1–2 weeks depending on weather.
- Packaging: sorting, shaping, packaging in 25 g sachets.
Techno-economic results
- Yield: ~20 kg dry leaves/300 m².
- Work time:
- Sowing: 10 min/tray.
- Planting: 1h30/row (25 meters long).
- Harvest: 1 day/300 m².
- Packaging and sorting: 5 h/cycle.
- Price: 0.70 dirham/g (discount for large lots).
- Sale: direct, or in supermarkets packaged in 25 g sachets.
Environmental results
- Limited inputs (manure only).
- Reasoned but unmeasured irrigation.
- Roots left in place → soil preservation.
- Natural drying → no energy consumption.
Keys to success
- Good moisture monitoring at sowing.
- Rigorous organization of staggered plantings.
- Tropical greenhouse with shade netting extending the season.
- Direct sale, better product valorization.
Points of caution
- Plant fragile to heat and drought.
- Dependence on unpredictable rainfall (due to lack of sufficiently deep well).
Assessment
Crop adapted to small areas and direct sale. Simple technique but demanding in regularity. Production profitable if water conditions are sufficient, but very vulnerable to prolonged droughts.
Table written by Said Akkif for the infusion production he markets
| Blend (total weight) | Plants used | Quantity per plant |
|---|---|---|
| Herbal tea for stress (45 g) | Chinese agrimony | 12 g |
| Melilotus (officinal) | 13 g | |
| Lavender | 10 g | |
| Chamomile | 10 g | |
| Herbal tea for anemia (40 g) | Nettle | 12 g |
| Fennel | 8 g | |
| Parsley | 10 g | |
| Peppermint | 10 g | |
| Herbal tea to relieve flu symptoms (40 g) | Hyssop | 8 g |
| Ajuga (bugle/ajuga orientalis) | 8 g | |
| Marigold flower (calendula) | 8 g | |
| Sage | 8 g | |
| Rosemary | 8 g | |
| Herbal tea for sleep disorders (45 g) | California poppy | 15 g |
| Peppermint | 10 g | |
| Verbena | 10 g | |
| Lemongrass | 10 g |
Note: The blends presented above come from a farmer's testimony collected during the field survey. They reflect local practices and empirical knowledge but should not be considered medical recommendations.
Photo gallery of Said Akkif's farm
Sources
Interview with Said Akkif conducted in 2025.
Cette page a été rédigée dans le cadre du projet Urbane avec le soutien financier de l'Union Européenne, avec la participation du Centre National d'Agroécologie et de Ver de Terre Production
