Direct and indirect effects of irrigation policy in Morocco

Project (NIWSP). By 2020, the NIWSP has two aims: - to convert 550,000 ha of land already irrigated by gravity and sprinkler to localized irrigation , and - In terms of irrigation expansion, 108,440 additional hectares should also be newly equipped . Integrated River basin model elaborated in 2014 in the region of Tadla - Azilal, taking into account the agricultural, hydrological and economic components of water's irrigation. It aims (1) to evalua te the impact of this policy on agricultural production and on water use in the region of Tadla - Azilal and (2) to assess the likely impact of the new irrigation policy (conversion of the old irrigation system to a new one which is more efficient). In Morocco, irrigation has been a major component of the development policy : it prevents climatic risks, ensures minimum food security , to obtain rapid growth, and to promote agricultural exports. The agricultural and irrigation policy has allowed a kind of “green revolution” but benefiting to agricultural diversification rather than cereals. The current irrigation policy benefits a majority of smallholders but mostly those who already have access to irrigation. But the current irrigation policy results in high energy costs and increases the energy import bill. If we take the multiplier effects of agriculture into account, investments in rainfed agriculture would be more profitable for the Moroccan economy. The current agricultural policy should be mo re balanced in favor of rainfed agriculture, that has high potential to contribute to food secur ity and to alleviating poverty. (Texte intégral