Morocco launches plan to improve water infrastructure
Morocco's water shortage problem is to be addressed through a new project launched by the government this week.
The National Water Economy Plan is to be supported with funds from the Spanish and Moroccan governments in order to achieve three key objectives.
The Food and Agricultural Organisation of the UN will offer technical support for the project.
Mohand Laenser, minister of agriculture, rural development and marine fisheries, expressed his hopes that the new plan will improve food security and increase agricultural exports and farmers' income.
He added that the initiative is "very important".
The pilot project will focus on the use of modern irrigation techniques to improve water usage in Doukkala, south of Casablanca.
It will last for 2 years, covering 2 full irrigation seasons.
The World Bank notes that in the mid-90s, drought in Morocco led to a 45 per cent drop in agricultural GDP.
At the time, it funded a $100 million Emergency Drought Recovery Project but warned that the lack of rain could cause long-term financial damage.
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