Morocco plans to combat drought with desalination plants

In response to persistent drought conditions, Morocco has embarked on an ambitious initiative to build large-scale desalination plants aimed at mitigating the chronic water shortages afflicting the nation. Ahmed El Bouari, Morocco’s Minister of Agriculture, Marine Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forests, addressed parliament, highlighting that current rainfall levels are 70% below normal and the country’s irrigation basins are filled to merely a quarter of their capacity.

Acute water scarcity has significantly disrupted the agricultural sowing season across various regions, a trend that has persisted for years. Minister El Bouari emphasized the need for the agro-industrial sector to adapt to evolving climate conditions and stated that the government plans to accelerate the construction of desalination facilities. These plants are intended not only to supply fresh water but also to utilize recycled seawater for irrigating farmland.

Morocco’s desalination plants are projected to have the capacity to generate up to 1.7 billion cubic meters of fresh water annually by 2030, offering a sustainable solution to the country’s water crisis.