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Morocco drought leaves wheat fields untended
A chronic drought in Morocco is inflicting severe issues for the agricultural sector. Local Authorities predict that the 2024 wheat harvest shall be lowered by nearly 50 per cent. The Arab Spring occurred throughout a drought and elevating wheat costs. Can we anticipate upheaval within the Magreb linked to this extended drought?
This picture above, acquired by one of many Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellites on 3 August 2024, exhibits the province of Sidi Kacem, as soon as the guts of cereal manufacturing in Morocco, however largely uncultivated this yr as a consequence of an absence of water to irrigate crops.
According to the UN unit to fight desertification, Morocco is dealing with a extreme disaster that threatens its agriculture and meals safety. A six-year drought, exacerbated by local weather change, has deeply impacted the nation’s cereal farmers, whose fields of wheat, maize, and barley as soon as sustained each human and livestock consumption.
A photo voltaic paneled constructing in Morocco
The drought has not solely lowered crop yields however has additionally reworked Morocco’s agricultural panorama, resulting in important financial and social challenges. As Morocco grapples with these difficulties, the federal government and agricultural sector are using modern methods to fight the water disaster and safeguard the nation’s meals provide.
Moroccan agricultural manufacturing consists of wheat, oranges, tomatoes, potatoes, olives, and olive oil. They additionally develop argan seeds for Moroccan oil.
The Impact of Drought on Morocco’s Agriculture
Morocco’s agriculture sector is very susceptible to altering local weather patterns, particularly the delayed and inconsistent rainfall that has plagued the nation for years. Cereals, which occupy nearly all of Morocco’s farmland, have seen a dramatic decline in each yield and acreage.
Visit a Moroccan farm:
In 2023, Morocco’s wheat harvest is projected to yield solely 3.4 million tons, in comparison with the 6.1 million tons harvested the earlier yr. This decline has compelled many farmers to depart their fields fallow, decreasing each productiveness and earnings.
The ongoing drought has additionally led to a reliance on wheat imports to satisfy home demand. Between January and June 2023, Morocco imported almost 2.5 million tons of wheat, primarily from France.
The males of the desert
However, this answer is probably not sustainable, as France itself faces declining harvests as a consequence of comparable local weather challenges. The Food and Agriculture Organization ranked Morocco because the sixth-largest wheat importer on this planet in 2023, highlighting the rising dependence on exterior sources for staple meals.
Recognizing the severity of the drought, the Moroccan authorities has intensified its efforts to handle the nation’s water shortage. One key initiative is the implementation of a nationwide water administration technique, aligned with pointers set out by King Mohammed VI. This complete technique goals to mitigate the influence of the drought via water conservation measures and the diversification of water sources.
Seawater desalination has emerged as a cornerstone of Morocco’s water administration efforts. Currently, the nation operates 12 desalination crops with a complete capability of 179.3 million cubic meters of water per yr. Morocco is also building desalination plants with France.
Plans are in place to assemble seven further desalination crops by 2027, which can enhance capability by one other 143 million cubic meters. This bold plan displays Morocco’s dedication to addressing its annual water demand, which exceeds 16 billion cubic meters—87% of which is used for agriculture. Yet, over the previous 5 years, out there water assets haven’t surpassed 5 million cubic meters yearly, underscoring the gravity of the scenario.
Berrechid aquifer Morocco, FAO. To enhance water governance, Sweden, the FAO and the Moroccan authorities set up water meters to cease water theft by Moroccan farmers.
Early studies suggest that better water management practices such as water metering might help cease the fast decline of aquifers.
