In the scorching sun of Aleg, Mauritania, a dedicated women’s cooperative processes desert dates to extract their valuable seeds. The grueling manual labor begins with cracking tough shells and carefully scraping out the seeds, a process that takes days to yield just 25-30 kilograms (55-65 pounds) of product per month. These seeds are sent to a workshop in Nouakchott, where they're cold-pressed to produce oil, which is turned into natural soap using a zero-waste philosophy. Every part of the seed is reused — even the shell is used as fertilizer or animal feed.
The soaps are sold at local markets, and customers appreciate their quality and sustainability. Yet the women behind the effort still struggle financially. Their cooperative, founded 15 years ago, faces major challenges such as limited access to water. To address this, they’ve sought support from electrical engineer and agricultural advisor Maimouna Mahmouden, who champions their initiative and envisions a network of large-scale desert date farms using efficient irrigation systems. Her aim is to expand the cooperative’s reach and profitability, turning traditional practices into sustainable economic opportunities.
At the heart of the cooperative's mission is not only economic self-sufficiency but also environmental stewardship. Known locally as the "guardians of the trees," the women protect the desert date trees and promote reforestation awareness. With efforts such as TikTok outreach and community networking, they hope to raise awareness of the desert date’s potential, turning their model into a beacon of resilience, innovation and environmental protection.