Long considered a pillar of Moroccan agriculture, the region of Béni Mellal-Khénifra is today severely affected by drought, threatening its main production sectors. Once capable of producing 150,000 tons of sugar per year, or 30% of national production, it now struggles to reach 30,000 tons.
An Escalating Drought
Morocco is experiencing its seventh consecutive year of drought, with rainfall in free fall. For the 2023-2024 campaign, only 27 mm of rain had been recorded by the end of November, a decrease of 41% compared to the previous year. This situation directly impacts irrigation and water reserves, particularly at the Bin El Ouidane dam, where the filling rate dropped to 5.2% in January 2024, compared to 11.4% a year earlier.
An Agricultural Economy Under Pressure
Playing a key role in national agriculture, the region accounts for 30% of cereal seeds, 20% of citrus fruits, 15% of olives, 13% of red meats, and 12% of milk production. However, without sufficient access to water, these sectors are at risk.
Hassan Mounir, general director of Cosumar, expresses concern: “We are exhausting our resources without a sustainable solution. If this situation persists, we risk not only the disappearance of strategic crops but also a massive migration of agricultural labor.”
Desalination: A Solution for the Future?
In the face of this crisis, a structural alternative is being highlighted: desalination of seawater. Although the Atlantic coast is located 200 km away, current technologies could transport water inland.
The Regional Council of Béni Mellal-Khénifra has expressed its support for the creation of a desalination plant, ready to invest 1 billion dirhams for its development.
For Hassan Mounir, this project represents much more than just a response to the crisis: “A desalination plant would be a strategic advancement, ensuring the sustainability of agriculture and attracting new agro-industrial investments.”
The implementation of this solution will require strong commitment from authorities and the private sector to prevent a worsening of the situation. “We must act while there is still time,” he concludes.
With Le360