Desalination: A Lifeline for Morocco's Agriculture Industry Amidst Drought

Strategic Insights -

As climate change drives severe drought in Morocco, the country's agriculture industry has become entirely dependent on desalination. Azura, the tomato giant, has 800 hectares of farms entirely reliant on desalinated water, which comes at a high cost - both financially and environmentally. The technology is energy-intensive, carrying a heavy carbon footprint, particularly in a country where more than half of the electricity comes from coal. Desalination has become a critical component of Morocco's agricultural sector, with 16 plants producing 270 million cubic metres of water per year, and a target of reaching 1.7 billion cubic metres by 2030.

Key Takeaways:

  • Morocco's agriculture industry has been heavily hit by six consecutive years of drought, prompting the country to rely on desalination.
  • Azura, the tomato giant, has 800 hectares of farms dependent on desalinated water, which is sold at $0.56 per cubic metre, excluding taxes.
  • Desalination has become a crucial component of Morocco's agricultural sector, with 16 plants producing 270 million cubic metres of water per year, and a target of reaching 1.7 billion cubic metres by 2030.
  • The technology is energy-intensive and carries a heavy carbon footprint, particularly in a country where more than half of the electricity comes from coal.
  • The desalination plant in Morocco's Chtouka region produces 125,000 cubic metres of water a day, irrigating 12,000 hectares of farmland and providing drinking water for 1.6 million people.
  • The plant's operators hope to boost production to 400,000 cubic metres of water by the end of 2026, with half of it designated for agriculture.
  • The agriculture industry contributes around 12 percent to Morocco's overall economy, making desalination a vital component of the country's economic stability.

Statistics:

  • 800 hectares of Azura's farms are entirely reliant on desalinated water.
  • 125,000 cubic metres of water are produced by the desalination plant in Chtouka region per day.
  • 12,000 hectares of farmland are irrigated by the desalination plant.
  • 1.6 million people in Agadir and surrounding areas receive drinking water from the desalination plant.
  • 60% of Mohamed Boumarg's 38-year-old farmer's tomato crop is marked for export.
  • $1 billion of revenue a year and more than a million jobs are protected by the desalination plant.

Sources:

  • BSS (Bangladesh News Agency) report on the drought-stricken plains of Morocco's Chtouka region.
  • International Energy Agency report on Morocco's electricity generation.
  • Interviews with Abir Lemseffer, Ayoub Ramdi, Rqia Bourziza, Ali Hatimy, and Mohamed Boumarg.