Morocco’s desalination push boosts agricultural water reserves to 26%

Morocco’s agricultural dams currently hold 3.71 billion cubic meters of water, representing a 26% filling rate, according to Ahmed El Bouari, the country’s Minister of Agriculture. The update was provided during a recent parliamentary session, where El Bouari highlighted the government’s efforts to address water scarcity and optimize water use for the ongoing agricultural season.

Concentrated reserves and irrigation efforts  

Approximately 70% of Morocco’s water reserves are concentrated in the Sebou and Loukkos basins, with 722 million cubic meters allocated to support large-scale irrigation zones. Irrigation activities are currently active in regions such as Loukkos, Gharb, Moulouya, Tafilalet, and Ouarzazate, though the Tadla region is operating at reduced capacity. These efforts cover 52% of the nation’s irrigated agricultural land. However, areas like Doukkala, Al Haouz, and Souss-Massa remain reliant on increased dam reserves to establish their irrigation programs.

Accelerating desalination projects  

To combat water scarcity, Morocco is accelerating its seawater desalination initiatives. The government aims to produce over 1.7 billion cubic meters of desalinated water by 2030, easing pressure on traditional water sources and redirecting resources to agriculture. Key projects include the Dakhla desalination plant, which is 70% complete and will have an annual capacity of 37 million cubic meters. Another facility under construction in Casablanca will provide 300 million cubic meters annually, with 50 million cubic meters dedicated to irrigation.

Future desalination facilities  

El Bouari outlined plans for additional desalination plants across the country, including:  
- A 300 million cubic meter facility in the Oriental region, with 160 million cubic meters allocated to agriculture.  
- A 150 million cubic meter plant in Tangier.  
- A 300 million cubic meter facility in Rabat.  
- Plants in Oum Er-Rbia and Tensift, each producing 300 million cubic meters for irrigation.  
- A large-scale facility in Souss-Massa with a capacity of 350 million cubic meters, of which 250 million cubic meters will support agriculture.  

Medium-sized desalination stations are also planned for Boujdour, Tan-Tan, and surrounding areas.

Enhancing water transfer systems  

El Bouari praised the rapid progress of projects connecting major water basins. A critical phase linking the Sebou and Bouregreg basins was completed within ten months, enabling the transfer of over 580 million cubic meters annually. Additionally, the project connecting Oued El Makhazine and Dar Khrofa dams is nearing completion. This initiative will provide an annual supply of 100 million cubic meters and irrigate 21,000 hectares in Dar Khrofa.

These measures underscore Morocco’s commitment to addressing its water crisis while ensuring sustainable water management and agricultural productivity.