Morocco Signs Major Water Deals at SIAM 2025
Morocco has signed two major agreements aimed at transforming the way it manages its water resources, as the country faces mounting pressure from drought and climate change.
The deals were signed between the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Equipment and Water at SIAM 2025 during the International Conference on Water Management for Sustainable and Resilient Agriculture. Nearly 30 foreign delegations attended, including ministers from France and Italy. The deals were signed between the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Equipment and Water at SIAM 2025 during the International Conference on Water Management for Sustainable and Resilient Agriculture
The first agreement focuses on the Fez-Meknes aquifer, aiming to involve farmers, local authorities, and industry in managing this crucial water source. 'This new contract will allow us to balance environmental protection and economic development,' said Agriculture Minister Ahmed El Bouari at the event.
The second deal promises tighter coordination between government departments, especially when it comes to data sharing and weather forecasting. 'The exchange of data between our services and the development of specific meteorological tools will revolutionise agricultural decision-making,' said Nizar Baraka, Minister of Equipment and Water.
Speaking to Morocco World News, Baraka revealed Morocco is also working with the World Water Council to create a new international centre focused on renewable energy and water. 'The aim is to share Morocco's successful experience in seawater desalination using renewable energy – particularly solar energy,' he said. Nizar Baraka speaking during the SIAM 2025 in Meknes
By 2030, Morocco plans to produce 1.7 billion cubic metres of desalinated water, of which 500 million cubic metres will be used for agriculture. 'This will allow us to irrigate over 100,000 hectares – enabling the cultivation of high-value crops and reinforcing our food sovereignty,' Baraka added.
One of the new projects will support earthquake-hit regions. 'We've signed a groundwater contract covering the earthquake-affected zone,' Baraka said. 'Water from the Moulay Abdeslam dam will support irrigation over 30,000 hectares, starting with 10,000 hectares.'
Both ministers stressed that these efforts follow the roadmap laid out by King Mohammed VI in his 2024 speech, which set the goal of meeting 80% of Morocco's irrigation needs. 'In the face of growing water stress, these agreements reflect our commitment to deliver the royal vision,' said El Bouari.
Experts at the event called for faster adoption of smarter water governance models. Many praised Morocco's new participatory approach to groundwater management as a model for the region. Tags: agricultureAhmed El BouaridroughtMeknesNizar BarakaSIAM 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Ya Biladi
02-06-2025
- Ya Biladi
Morocco shuts down livestock markets days before Eid al-Adha
Authorities across Morocco have launched a nationwide crackdown, shutting down livestock markets and trading spaces used for selling animals ahead of Eid al-Adha. The move follows King Mohammed VI's decision to cancel animal sacrifices this year, in light of climate challenges and a significant decline in livestock numbers. Local governors and officials have been directed to enforce the ban. In Khénifra, the provincial governor ordered the closure of all weekly markets for sheep sales and prohibited any activities related to the sale and slaughter of sacrificial animals, including pop-up markets that typically spring up in the run-up to the holiday. In Rabat, the Ministry of Interior, working with local authorities, has shut down all seasonal markets for sacrificial animals and banned the sale of related supplies—a blow to many artisans and seasonal traders who rely on Eid for income. Authorities tighten controls ahead of Eid Similar decisions have been announced in Al Hoceima, Tangier, Kelaa des Sraghna, and Inezgane. In Inezgane, authorities have also closed the municipal slaughterhouse and banned the slaughter of sheep and goats. Meanwhile in Casablanca, reports say authorities have seized large quantities of sheep being sold in unauthorized locations, as part of a broader campaign to curb illegal sales and crack down on middlemen who typically exploit the seasonal demand to make quick profits. This year, unlike previous ones, there's been a noticeable absence of commercial activity in the days leading up to Eid, with few seasonal markets or shops selling Eid supplies, observes by Yabiladi. It's not the first time Moroccans have been asked to forgo sacrificing animals for Eid. King Hassan II made the same decision in 1963, 1981, and 1996, for similar reasons. Just a few weeks ago, the Ministry of Agriculture reported that Morocco's livestock herd has shrunk by 38% compared to 2016 levels. To address the shortage, the government has rolled out emergency measures, including scrapping import duties and VAT on imported beef, sheep, goats, camels, and other red meats.
Morocco World
30-05-2025
- Morocco World
Morocco's El Jadida to Host First International Port Ecosystem Salon in 2026
Doha – The first edition of the International Salon for Ports and their Ecosystem (SIPORTS) will take place from February 5-7, 2026, at the Mohammed VI Complex in El Jadida. Organized under the aegis of the Ministry of Equipment and Water by LINECO Events, this pioneering event aims to position Morocco as a strategic hub in global maritime trade. The salon will bring together more than 300 exhibitors from four continents and expects to welcome around 6,000 professional visitors. SIPORTS will be structured around five thematic pavilions: institutional, port industry, operations, scientific and academic, along with a museum dedicated to ports. Nizar Baraka, Minister of Equipment and Water, views the event as perfectly aligned with Morocco's maritime strategy. 'This initiative is perfectly aligned with the great momentum the port and maritime sector is experiencing, driven by the orientations of King Mohammed VI, aimed at strengthening Morocco's position as an essential maritime hub on both Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts,' said Baraka. Read also: Dakhla Atlantic Port and N'Djamena Corridor: Pivotal Game Changers in Africa's Economic Landscape He added that creating an exchange platform that brings together all stakeholders to discuss challenges and opportunities, accompanied by spaces dedicated to innovation and new technologies, 'perfectly addresses the challenges of modernization and sustainable development of our port infrastructure.' Mohcine Berrada, president of LINECO Events and organizer of this first edition, described SIPORTS as 'an international crossroads of expertise and solutions for the future.' 'Our ambition is to respond to the crucial challenges of performance, connectivity, innovation, and sustainability that are reshaping the map of global maritime trade today,' said Berrada. The event will feature an ambitious program of conferences, expert panels, international keynotes, and technical workshops. These sessions will create a space for strategic reflection and concrete exchanges to address the profound changes in the sector. Topics will include structuring new maritime routes, smart ports, eco-responsible infrastructure, and strengthened regional cooperation. Consolidating Morocco's global maritime leadership By promoting B2C and B2B meetings and showcasing innovative solutions, SIPORTS seeks to consolidate Morocco's position as an essential maritime hub in Africa and beyond. The event shows Morocco's growing stature as a pivotal force in global maritime commerce. Tanger Med port, the country's flagship maritime infrastructure, recently secured 17th place worldwide in the latest Alphaliner report of top global container ports. In 2024, Tanger Med handled 10.24 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), a significant increase from 8.61 million TEUs the year before. This growth has propelled the Moroccan port ahead of established global players like Hamburg (24th with 7.82 million TEUs) and Jakarta (27th with 6.75 million TEUs). Tanger Med is now the only port in the Mediterranean and Africa to rank among the top 30 ports worldwide. The port finished the 2024 fiscal year with a revenue of $1.212 billion, a marked increase of 12.3% compared to 2023. Santiago J. Castella Surribas, president of the Port of Tarragona in Spain, recently noted that Morocco has made remarkable developments in its port infrastructure over the past 25 years, modernizing to secure a key position in international trade. Spanish media have also expressed concerns that Morocco's port performance has been outpacing major Spanish hubs such as Algeciras, Valencia, and Barcelona since King Mohammed VI inaugurated Tanger Med in 2007. The North African country is also counting on the Atlantic Port of Dakhla to provide Sahel-Saharan countries secure access to the Atlantic Ocean. The project, expected to be operational by 2029, will process up to 35 million tons of cargo annually and serve as a key gateway connecting Africa to European and American markets.
Morocco World
29-05-2025
- Morocco World
Morocco's Lemon Revenues Reach $2.7 Million in First Half of 2024-2025 Season
Rabat – Morocco generated a revenue of $2.7 million from lemon exports, according to new data from the agriculture-focused outlet East Fruit. The revenues were made between the first half of the 2024-2025 season, during which Morocco exported 6,100 metric tons of lemons, the report detailed. 'This marks the highest export volume for the October-March period' since the 2020-2021 season, when Morocco witnessed a four-year decline in exports due to weather challenges. East Fruit stressed the importance of lemon as part of the top citrus exported produce in Morocco, behind mandarins and oranges. The peak of exports occurred in the 2019-2020 season, when exports reached 17,000 tons, seven times less than orange exports and 23 times less than mandarin exports, the report added. Morocco's citrus industry witnessed a major milestone. Foodex in April celebrated the country's entrance into Japan's most demanding market with the first container of Moroccan citrus fruits. The entry reflects the 'competitiveness of Moroccan agricultural products and internationally recognized expertise,' the same source said. In the 2021-2022 agricultural season, Morocco's citrus exports reached a record volume of 766,500 tons — an overall increase of 40% compared to the year before. This performance covered all exported citrus products, including berries. For the 2024-025 campaign in the Moulouya irrigated area in Berkane province, Morocco's citrus sector gears up to produce at least 192,3000 tons. All this amid challenging weather conditions due principally to climate change, water shortages, and lack of rainfall. Recent rainfall in March revived Morocco's water reserves, prompting Minister of Equipment Nizar Baraka to say that the country now has a capacity of potable water that will serve Moroccans for a year and a half.
