The future of Moroccan agriculture depends on better water use

 

IRES (Institut Royal des Etudes Stratégiques) has just published a summary report following a study day that brought together the country's leading experts in the fields of water, climate change, agriculture, agri-food, economics and rural development.

 

The report, entitled ‘The future of agriculture in Morocco in a context of structural water scarcity’, shows that the agricultural sector consumes almost 85% of the country's renewable water resources. 

 

Better management of irrigation water is needed. This can be achieved by stepping up the monitoring of water resources, by combating illegal groundwater abstraction, by increasing the use of desalinated seawater for irrigation, and by harnessing rainwater. 

 

Food sovereignty must be guaranteed, as must the preservation of natural resources. By striking a new balance between production for the domestic market and production for export. A transition to resilient agricultural systems is urgently needed.

 

Read the report HERE