Morocco is facing a severe water shortage that has reduced its irrigated area by almost half and endangered its food production and exports. The country has experienced six consecutive years of drought that have depleted its dams and groundwater reserves. The situation is exacerbated by climate change and poor water management practices.
Dwindling Water Resources
According to the water minister Nizar Baraka, Morocco’s average dam filling rate has dropped to 23.2% from 31.5% a year earlier. Rainfall was 70% lower than in an average year, he said. The country’s second biggest dam, Al Masira, which serves the economic hub of Casablanca, is almost empty.
The government has imposed water rationing measures, banning the use of drinking water to clean streets or irrigate parks in cities and stopping dam water from reaching some key farming areas. The decision took many farmers by surprise in the area of Taroudant in the Souss region, the main source of Morocco’s fresh produce, which supplies supermarkets across Europe and is a major source of export revenue.
“Stopping dam irrigation has sapped my investments … this year’s production is in danger,” Mbark N’Ait Ali, a banana and vegetable farmer in Taroudant, said. Wells have dried up in the area, with farmers having to dig down to 400 meters with no guarantee of finding enough water, he added.
Impacts on Agriculture and Food Security
The water crisis has also affected the rain-fed cereals sector, which accounts for 15% of Morocco’s agricultural output and employs 80% of its rural population. The ploughed area with cereals has dropped this year to 2.3 million hectares, from 3.65 million hectares last year, which was also a dry year, the agriculture minister Sadiki said.
“Autumn crops are at a critical condition … we pray for rain,” he said.
The statistics agency expects the cereals harvest to be less than average this year, meaning more wheat imports. Morocco is the world’s sixth-largest importer of wheat and relies on imports for 70% of its domestic consumption. The higher import bill could worsen the country’s trade deficit and put pressure on its foreign reserves.
The water shortage could also threaten Morocco’s food security and stability, as the country is already facing the social and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the World Food Programme, 5.5% of Morocco’s population is undernourished and 19.6% of children under five are stunted. Food prices have increased by 2.3% in 2020, adding to the hardship of low-income households.
Solutions and Prospects
To cope with the water scarcity, Morocco has launched several initiatives to improve its water management and increase its supply. These include building waterways and new dams, promoting water-saving techniques and technologies, and developing desalination plants powered by renewables.
The country aims to produce 1.3 billion cubic meters of fresh water from desalination by 2035. However, some farmers fear that it will be too late when desalination will be ready to irrigate their farms.
Morocco is also seeking to diversify its agricultural production and exports, focusing on high-value crops such as fruits, vegetables, and olives, which require less water and generate more income. The country has invested in modernizing its irrigation infrastructure and expanding its greenhouses and organic farming.
Despite the challenges, Morocco remains optimistic about its agricultural potential and resilience. The country has set an ambitious goal of increasing its agricultural GDP by 50% and its exports by 100% by 2030. It also hopes to benefit from the opportunities offered by the African Continental Free Trade Area, which could boost its regional trade and integration.
Source: Reuters
