Drought in Morocco Reveals the Paradoxes of Maghreb Agriculture
BY: Hana Saada
ALGIERS- In the face of a persistent drought, Maghreb countries are grappling with the impact of irregular rainfall, exposing vulnerabilities and triggering both social and agricultural crises. While Algeria and Tunisia experienced some precipitation in December, Morocco had to wait until January for rainfall. The drought highlights a scarcity gradient from west to east, underscoring the complexity of water-related challenges in the region.
Morocco in Crisis
On January 5th, Moroccan meteorological services released precipitation figures for a 24-hour period, revealing a stark contrast across regions: 20 mm in Ifrane, 17 mm in Fès, 12 mm in Settat, 11 mm in Meknès, and only 1 mm in Oujda, Marrakech, and Casablanca.
These rains were eagerly awaited, especially after reports in early January exposed the critical state of the El Massira dam, Morocco’s second-largest reservoir. The strategic water source was at a mere 1% of its total volume, threatening not only the water supply for Casablanca but also agricultural activities in the Doukkala region, a major producer of sugar beets.
Moroccan Agriculture Under Pressure
In the Meknès region, distressing images captured by Al Hadath Maroc depict barley fields, once thriving, now turning brown and showing signs of withering. To tackle the persistent drought, the Moroccan Office of Phosphates (OCP) initiated “Al Moutmir” in 2018. This project aims to promote new, arid-adapted agricultural techniques developed by the agronomic station in Settat. However, the challenges are immense.
Al Hadath Maroc reports a 24 to 36-meter drop in water levels in wells, accompanied by a substantial reduction in drilling flow—a situation unseen for the past 30 years. The replenishment of aquifers will take years, contingent upon sustained rainfall and prudent water management practices.
Drought and Social Crisis
The drought, coupled with Morocco’s social structure, led to an unprecedented scenario: authorities had to provide social aid to one million families, equating to over 3.5 million Moroccans living below the poverty line.
With the onset of January rains, hope is rekindled in Moroccan rural areas. In Nador, water flows again in the city’s streets, providing much-needed relief to residents.
The Irrigation Challenge
Morocco faces a unique climatic adversity. Recent shifts in the Azores anticyclone toward the Atlantic have redirected oceanic air masses to Europe, causing floods in northern France and a lack of rainfall in the Maghreb.
To combat the drought, many Moroccan farmers have adopted drip irrigation on a large scale. However, this method requires meticulous management to prevent water waste and misuse, especially in export-oriented crops.
Khalid, a Moroccan farmer specializing in onions and potatoes, shares his expertise on social media, advocating for fellow farmers to embrace drip irrigation. He imparts valuable advice on water conservation and resource preservation.
Future of Maghreb Agriculture
The diminishing precipitation in Maghreb countries poses an increasingly worrisome trend. While desalination of seawater could be an option for supplying drinking water to cities, the energy costs remain high for countries like Morocco and Tunisia, lacking significant hydrocarbon resources.
The current situation compels Maghreb nations to reinvent their agriculture and explore more efficient irrigation techniques for water conservation. However, the future of Moroccan agriculture as a supplier of fruits and vegetables to European markets appears increasingly uncertain.
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