My name is Halima Bahaddou, I’m 27 years old and come from the southern Moroccan region of Zagora. I’m passionate about sustainable agriculture and entrepreneurship in the agrifood sector. As part of the FoodBack project, I had the opportunity to take part in a job shadowing experience at the Mazguitta Date Cooling and Packaging Unit—an experience that proved both transformative and inspiring.
I chose this placement for two main reasons. First, because dates are the emblematic local product of Zagora Province—closely 
tied to our identity and economy. And second, because I’ve been developing a business idea focused on producing value-added products from dates, particularly date jam. This idea began taking shape during the first two phases of the FoodBack project: the local training in Morocco hosted by Agdz Volunteers Without Borders and the international phase in Italy with Kora Association. The job shadowing represented the final and most hands-on phase of this journey.
At the Mazguitta Unit, managed by Abdelmajid, Younes, and Abdelaali, I was warmly welcomed and supported in gaining real-world skills. My tasks included:
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Monitoring cooling and packaging processes
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Operating various equipment and computer systems
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Ensuring quality control of date batches
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Packaging and labeling products
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Assisting with logistics and shipments
Working in the cold storage environment was challenging, as was adapting to the delicacy of the product. But these hurdles were valuable learning opportunities. By the end of the experience, I had deepened my understanding of quality standards, improved processing efficiency, and developed essential entrepreneurial skills in agrifood production.
This job shadowing was more than a training—it was a clear step forward in launching my own business. I returned with stronger motivation to transform my idea into a local enterprise that supports smallholder farmers, generates youth employment, and adds value to our region’s most iconic crop.
I’m deeply thankful to the entire team at Mazguitta for their support and trust, and to the FoodBack project, Agdz Volunteers Without Borders, and Kora Association for designing such a meaningful path for young entrepreneurs like me.
