Throne Speech Highlights Importance of Seawater Desalination as Alternative for Irrigation (Responsible)
Rabat – The Speech of HM King Mohammed VI on the occasion of the Throne Day constitutes a roadmap for the desalination of seawater as an alternative solution for irrigation, indicated Mohamed Ouhssain, head of the division for the Promotion and Regulation of PPPs in irrigation at the Ministry of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development and Water and Forests.
Morocco, which is located in an area sensitive to climate change, is particularly impacted by the decline in rainfall and water reserves, he added in a statement to MAP, stressing that this situation affects several sectors of activity including industry, tourism and agriculture of course.
To address the challenges related to agriculture, caused by consecutive years of drought that have affected water reserves and groundwater, the Sovereign called for urgent and innovative measures, including the implementation of the National Program for Drinking Water Supply and Irrigation 2020-2027 (PNAEPI), the strengthening of the water supply dedicated to irrigation through the construction of several seawater desalination plants by 2030, including the large plant in Casablanca and three other large plants to come, namely those in the Oriental region, Souss-Massa and Tensift Oum Rabiaa, he continued.
Recalling that several Moroccan cities had already benefited from desalination programs in order to provide drinking water, Mr. Ouhssain noted that the emphasis is this time on water intended for irrigation in the southern provinces, particularly the Boujdour station which will irrigate 9,000 hectares, that of Tantan which will in turn irrigate 5,000 hectares and supply the region with drinking water, in addition to a station currently under study in Guelmim.
At the same time, the Royal Speech emphasizes the importance of the accountability of citizens and institutions in the rationalization of water use, he concluded.
2024-09-10 18:14:25