Transition From Surface to Drip Irrigation in Morocco: Analysis Through the Multi-Level Perspective

Abstract

Agriculture uses more than 80% of water resources in Morocco. The sector isinefficient in terms of water use due to the dominance of surface irrigation. Toaddress this issue, there have been efforts in Moroccan strategies to convert surfaceirrigation to localized one. This paper analyses the dynamics of conversion fromsurface irrigation to drip irrigation in Fez-Meknes region (north-eastern Morocco)through the lens of the Multi-Level Perspective (MLP) on socio-technicaltransitions. MLP framework suggests that transitions are the results of dialecticinteractions among a niche (cf. novelty of drip irrigation), a regime (cf. traditionalsystem of surface irrigation) and the socio-technical landscape (e.g. policies). MLPwas complemented with a multi-capital approach to better assess transitionimpacts. Results show that the area equipped with drip irrigation in Fez-Meknesregion increased from 2174 ha in 2008 to 39290 ha in 2016. Different programshave been implemented in the framework of the Green Morocco Plan to fosterirrigation transition e.g. the National Irrigation Water Saving Program (PNEEI),launched in 2007, aims to convert 550,000 ha to localized irrigation (e.g. dripirrigation) in 15 years. Thanks to these programs, financial and technical supporthas been provided to farmers to promote the adoption of water-saving irrigationtechniques and practices. Farm-level results show that transition to localizedirrigation decreases irrigation water use, increases yields and profitability (cf. grossmargin per ha), and improves water productivity. Despite an enabling policylandscape and positive transition impacts, surface irrigation is still maintained inthe region and farmers are reluctant to change for many reasons (e.g. age andeducation level, unclear land tenure, financial and administrative difficulties).Efforts are still needed to train farmers on irrigation scheduling and on the use ofsmart irrigation techniques to save water. Further research is required to betterunderstand current bottlenecks in the irrigation transition process and designappropriate and context-specific transition governance strategies.

Opportunities and challenges of irrigation in Morocco, Spain, and India: A critical analysis

“…Thanks to these efforts, and in particular to the preparation of national and regional water plans, Morocco has built 149 large dams with a capacity of 19.1 billion cubic meters, over 100 small dams, as well as multiple interconnection systems, enabling the development of an irrigated area of over 2 million hectares and the creation of seven large irrigation schemes. However, Morocco is ranked among the most water‐stressed countries in the world (Guemouria et al, 2023; Hadri et al, 2021), with the agricultural sector consuming over 80% of its water resources (Assouli et al, 2018). Thus, the sustainability of this sector is highly dependent on the availability of water resources, which are threatened by the impacts of climate change.…”

High-technology agriculture using the internet of things and cloud computing for an efficient Smart Irrigation System

“…In this regard, the activation of the electronic irrigation system in Morocco and the world has become an urgent need to rationalize water use in the agricultural sector (irrigation system), given the economy and rationalization of the use of this vital material [10]. Using modern technology, such as Internet-integrated systems, collects data accurately for intelligent irrigation (temperature, humidity, soil moisture) to display their value in applications and control them remotely [11][12][13][14].…”

Response of Clementine Mandarin to Water-Saving Strategies under Water Scarcity Conditions

“…Citrus orchards cover about 40,000 ha (i.e., 82% of the land used for irrigated crops) in the Souss-Massa region and represent 31% of the national citrus acreage with very diverse variety profile in which the clementines occupy 50% of the plantings with a dozen of varieties [12,13]. Drip irrigation is the main water supply technique adopted because of its greater water use efficiency (WUE), increased fertilizer efficiency and contribution to preservation of the environment [14][15][16]. As for other fruit trees, citrus water consumption varies according to climatic factors, crop factors, agronomic management factors and soil factors [17][18][19][20].…”