Minister Praises Morocco’s ‘Proactive’ Water Strategy to Secure Food Supply

Monday 17 June 2024 - 08:40

In a significant step toward mitigating the impacts of climate change on water resources and agricultural productivity, Morocco has officially launched the continent’s largest desalination plant in Casablanca. This development underscores the country's commitment to enhancing water efficiency and ensuring food security, as emphasized by Mohamed Sadiki, the Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forests.

During a conference held in Casablanca, Minister Sadiki outlined a series of substantial public investments aimed at developing water supply infrastructure and managing water demand. These initiatives include the construction of new dams, the interconnection of major water basins such as Sebou-Bouregreg-Oum Rbia-Tensift and Loukkos-Tangerois, and advancements in desalination technology.

Reflecting on the inauguration of the Casablanca desalination facility, Minister Sadiki highlighted how this seawater desalination project is poised to reduce the strain on conventional water resources. The plant is anticipated to significantly bolster irrigated agriculture, especially in regions facing severe water scarcity.

“Effective water governance is essential for reinforcing food sovereignty,” Minister Sadiki asserted, emphasizing the critical need to expedite the 2020-2027 National Program for Potable Water Supply and Irrigation (PNAEPI) and the 2020-2030 Generation Green strategy.

The PNAEPI program, with an investment of MAD 165 billion (approximately $17 billion), and the Generation Green strategy, with an investment of MAD 50 billion (around $5 billion), are designed to cultivate resilient and efficient agricultural practices. Key components of these strategies include modernizing irrigation systems, utilizing non-conventional water sources, optimizing dam-mobilized water resources, and promoting small-scale irrigated farming.

By the end of 2023, localized irrigation had already been implemented across 824,000 hectares, accounting for half of Morocco’s irrigated land. The objective is to expand this to one million hectares by 2030, Minister Sadiki noted.

To further enhance resilient and environmentally efficient agriculture, the Minister pointed to ongoing investments in water and energy efficiency. These efforts are aimed at transitioning farmers to renewable energy sources such as biomass and solar power, preserving soil health, and adopting adaptive farming systems to ensure long-term resilience and sustainability.

Morocco’s proactive water policies and investments reflect a comprehensive approach to addressing the challenges posed by climate change, aiming to secure the nation’s food supply and promote sustainable agricultural practices.