Saadia Abderma (ELP 2016) | Founder, Cooperative Bladi, Morocco
Dear Berkeley Alumni Family,
I hope this letter finds you well and thriving in the unique paths that life has unfolded for each one of us since our Berkeley days. As I sit down to share my journey with you, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the experiences and knowledge gained at UC Berkeley during the 2016 ELP summer program, which fueled my passion for sustainable development and community empowerment. Post-ELP program, my heart led me to Morocco, where in 2008, I founded Cooperative Bladi - a venture born out of a deep conviction to address the challenges posed by climate change.
Our cooperative embarked on a mission to valorize the earth’s agricultural resources, focusing on innovative soil cultivation methods, sustainable feed preparation for livestock, and the integration of hydroponics systems to complement traditional farming practices. The turning point came in 2016 when Cooperative Bladi welcomed 12,000 head of livestock.
We strategically distributed these among 500 women in the Rhamna region, empowering them to produce milk and contribute to both economic and nutritional security in their communities. Rhamna is a province in the Moroccan region of Marrakesh-Safi. Fast forward to 2021, and our cooperative took another leap, establishing a goat cheese production and processing unit. This expansion not only diversified our products but also created new economic opportunities for the remarkable women involved.
The challenges brought about by the COVD-19 crisis tested our resilience, but they didn’t deter our commitment to the vision of a Zero Carbon and Zero Waste cooperative. Today, as I look at Cooperative Bladi’s journey. I am proud of the strides we;ve made. To further our commitment to sustainability, we’ve revamped our board, welcoming two women scientists and a master’s degree holder. This move signifies our dedication to integrating smart technologies into our operations.
Our aim is clear - to leverage these technologies for pasta production, emphasizing crops that consume less water and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. The heart of Cooperative Bladi’s impact lies in the lives of the rural women of the Rhamna region of Morocco. We’ve become a catalyst for positive change, providing opportunities for skill development, economic empowerment, and community engagement. Witnessing women who were once confined to traditional roles now actively participating in a thriving cooperative is the most rewarding aspect of this journey.
Looking ahead, the upcoming COP 28 in Dubai holds promise for elevating our region’s sustainable development efforts. We are aiming to find investors that could grant resources and funding to help us achieve the installation of stations of waste water from two activities as follows: i) manufacturing/production of goats cheese, as we want to create a pool where we can accumulate and collect by-product water, then purify it for the final use to irrigate the forest plants and shrubs needed for a bioclimatic environment. ii) continuing the setup of hydroponics for goats green food preparation, through the purchase of volcanic rocks and reeds.
Cooperative Bladi’s commitment aligns seamlessly with global environmental initiatives, making us hopeful contributors to a more sustainable future. In closing, as I share Cooperative Bladi’s story with you, I am filled with gratitude for the education and support received at Berkeley and its worldwide profession networks, shaping the path that led me to this transformative venture. Let us continue to inspire and support one another in our respective journeys, contributing to positive change in the world.
Warm regards,
Saadia Abderma
Founder, Cooperative Bladi - Morocco
ELP Berkeley Alumna 2016