Title: Drought in Morocco: a major challenge for the agricultural sector
Introduction :
In Morocco, agriculture plays a crucial role in the country’s economy. Unfortunately, the country is facing its sixth consecutive year of drought, due to a decrease in rainfall in recent months, directly linked to climate change. This unprecedented situation endangers the Moroccan agricultural sector, which employs a third of the active population and represents 14% of the country’s exports. Explanations.
A critical situation:
The Minister of Equipment and Water, Nizar Baraka, recently declared during a press conference that Morocco is going through a critical phase after five consecutive years of drought never before observed. Precipitation has fallen by 67% in recent months compared to a year considered normal. In addition, the last three months (October to December) portend another year of drought to come.
Consequences on agriculture:
The drought directly affects the Moroccan agricultural sector, which is heavily dependent on water resources. Higher temperatures have also led to increased evaporation of water from dams. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, an average temperature rise of 1.3 degrees Celsius is estimated by 2050. Currently, the country’s reservoirs are only filled to 23.5% of their capacity, compared to 31% in the same period the previous year, which is a very worrying situation.
Proposed solutions :
Faced with this situation of growing water stress, the Moroccan authorities are banking on seawater desalination projects. The construction of a desalination plant should begin next month in Casablanca, the largest city in the country with more than six million inhabitants. By 2027, Morocco plans to build seven desalination plants with a total capacity of 143 million cubic meters per year.
Currently, the country already has twelve desalination plants, with a total capacity of 179.3 million cubic meters per year. This increase in water desalination capacity would help to compensate for the decline in fresh water resources.
Conclusion :
The drought in Morocco poses a major challenge for the country’s agricultural sector. Decreased precipitation and rising temperatures, linked to climate change, are endangering water resources and compromising agricultural production. Moroccan authorities are seeking to find sustainable solutions, such as seawater desalination, to address this crisis. It is essential to take appropriate measures to safeguard the agricultural sector and ensure the country’s food security.