HIBAPRESS – Abdellatif Barka
The city of Agadir hosted, on Tuesday, October 21st, the first edition of the "Agri-Water" forum, with the wide participation of experts, researchers, officials, and economic actors from within and outside Morocco, in a strategic meeting aimed at creating sustainable solutions for managing water resources and transforming the agricultural sector.
This event comes in the context of increasing climate challenges and water scarcity that threaten water and food security, making this forum a vital space for discussion and exchange of experiences around a new production model that balances economic efficiency, social justice, and environmental sustainability. In his opening speech, Hicham Rahioui Idrissi, the founding director of the organizing entity, affirmed that Morocco faces a critical water situation that requires collective mobilization, stressing that water has become a central element in food security and the economic sovereignty of the Kingdom. He pointed out that the forum includes more than 20 experts and researchers in the fields of water technology and modern agriculture, to study scientific and field solutions capable of addressing water scarcity and the recurrence of drought seasons. Idriss Bouti, President of the General Confederation of Enterprises of Morocco in the Souss-Massa region, considered that the organization of the forum in Agadir reflects recognition of the dynamism of this region in the field of environmental and agricultural innovation, especially in light of the major projects for desalination of seawater, which has become a major lever to ensure water security. For his part, Abdelghani Bouaichi, Vice President of the Agadir commune, reviewed the commune's efforts in reusing treated wastewater, which is used to irrigate 90 percent of the green spaces, which have doubled from 175 to 400 hectares, with the ambition of reaching 600 hectares soon, within the framework of an environmental vision aimed at increasing the per capita share of green spaces in line with national averages. In the same context, Said Dour, President of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Services of Souss-Massa, stressed the region's commitment to embodying the royal vision in the field of water governance, through investment in water desalination projects to secure future needs. Idriss Essalhi, President of the Regional Agricultural Chamber, considered that Souss-Massa has become a national model to be emulated in the field of water management, especially through pioneering projects in Tiznit, Taroudant, and other areas, which put the issue of water at the heart of development priorities. The forum's program was divided into four main sessions that discussed topics of smart agriculture and innovative irrigation, non-conventional water resources, food sovereignty, and the role of scientific research and training in supporting the green transformation. The event formed a strategic platform to connect scientific discussion with field reality, and to launch collective thinking about a renewed Moroccan model in water and agriculture management, based on innovation and environmental governance, and anticipating a green future that ensures water and food security. This forum falls within the framework of the insightful royal vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God protect him, and within the "Green Generation 2020–2030" program, which seeks to make climate challenges an opportunity to achieve sustainable and comprehensive development, through mobilizing collective intelligence, valuing local resources, and betting on innovation.
