Agricultural Support and Solidarity Economy in Morocco: A Sociological Study of Bni Frassen Commune in Taza

Abstract

This study examines the state-led agricultural support strategy, focusing on how the social representations of the peasantry influence the efficacy of the solidarity economy. The first chapter, "Agricultural Support and the Smallholder," analyzes statistical data on support mechanisms, farmers' perceptions, and the socio-cultural variables that impede access to public resources. The second chapter, "From Familial Production to the Solidarity Economy," investigates the role of cooperatives in transitioning agrarian society toward a solidarity-based model, evaluating how traditional cultural values impact collective action.

The research underscores that agrarian modernization in rural areas must integrate existing traditional social structures, as farmers' cultural perceptions directly affect the success of development schemes.

Key findings indicate that the lack of an organizational culture hinders engagement in cooperatives, obstructing access to support and the transition to a solidarity economy. Furthermore, imbalances in development projects stem from traditional values that keep the farmer in a passive, recipient role rather than an active partner. Consequently, the study recommends a participatory cultural approach to agricultural policy that incorporates local specificities to enhance the effectiveness of rural development programs.