Smallholders in Morocco face several challenges, for instance, the lack of technical knowledge, the inaccessibility of loans, and finally the difficulties to reach the market. The literature reveals that social enterprises are proven effective at supporting smallholders’ integration in the formal organic value chain. This study aimed to explore the extent to which social enterprises support the integration of small farmers in the organic value chain in Morocco. A qualitative analysis was performed on four agricultural social enterprises selected as case studies, using an in-depth interview, followed by a thematic synthesis.
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Results show that: (i) defining what an agricultural social enterprise is in Morocco appears to be tough since the field of social entrepreneurship is at its embryonic stage; (ii) Business Models guidelines seem to be absent in the Moroccan context; (iii) the impacts revealed vary from economic to social and finally environmental impacts; (iv) the challenges identified are financial, human resources challenges, lack of support, cultural challenges, and difficulties to make partnerships; (v) the perspectives of social enterprises working with smallholders are both promising and inconspicuous. Finally, recommendations are made for different actors to help the social entrepreneurship field in the organic sector to grow.
