Morocco advances hydro-agricultural development in a key economic hub

Strategic upgrades in irrigation and water management to boost agricultural productivity

RABAT, Morocco (MNTV) – Morocco is ramping up efforts to enhance hydro-agricultural infrastructure in the Oriental region, one of the country’s key agricultural hubs. 

This initiative aims to optimize water use and boost productivity across three strategically vital areas, providing critical support for the nation’s agricultural economy.

The first area, Sidi Boulenouar, spans 400 hectares and relies on water from the Oued Isly springs. 

However, the region faces challenges with a deteriorating 2-kilometer pipeline, which urgently needs replacement or rerouting. 

A newly drilled borehole has supplemented water resources, but the project will assess the existing irrigation network for necessary upgrades.

In the second area, Isly, located in Sidi Moussa, over 1,500 hectares are serviced by a diversion structure on the Isly wadi. 

Water flows through a 14-kilometer main canal and 11 secondary channels. 

The initiative will evaluate the infrastructure’s capacity and address flood risks, ensuring long-term sustainability.

The third area in Bni Khaled, covering 64 hectares, relies on an aging well and open canals. 

The planned upgrades will transition the region to more water-efficient systems, including underground pipes and localized irrigation, to preserve resources.

The Oriental region, covering 889,450 hectares of agricultural land, is crucial to Morocco’s farming sector, producing key crops such as olives, almonds, and citrus. 

Under the Génération Green strategy, the government aims to increase the agricultural valorization rate to 61% by 2030, strengthening the region’s role in food security and national economic development.

These efforts underscore Morocco’s commitment to sustainable agricultural development, enhancing regional prosperity and supporting the nation’s long-term food security goals.