In Souss-Massa, a major hub for early vegetables and greenhouse crops in Morocco, water is no longer one topic among others: it determines the sustainability of farms, the quality of harvests and Morocco's position on export markets.

A structural challenge

Recurring droughts, the effects of climate change and naturally growing demand: conventional resources — aquifers and dams — are under heavy pressure. This is what the national drinking water supply and irrigation program 2020-2027 is about, relying both on new resources and on more efficient water use.

Desalination, a new resource for agriculture

Seawater desalination opens up a new path: the region hosts one of the first projects combining drinking water and irrigation water, for the benefit of the Chtouka irrigation area. These projects also raise practical questions that professionals want to address:

  • the energy cost of desalinated water and the role of renewable energy in reducing it;
  • adapting fertigation practices to water of a different quality;
  • the environmental impact and the use of brine.

Every drop counts

At field level, precision irrigation is gaining ground: drip and micro-irrigation, soil moisture sensors, connected weather stations, remote control of valves and pumps. Artificial intelligence is starting to help greenhouse growers adjust inputs in real time, and geospatial data to manage water at basin level.

Key takeaways

  • measure before irrigating: field data prevents over-watering;
  • adapt inputs to crop stages;
  • maintain filters, drippers and networks to preserve uniformity;
  • train teams to use digital tools.

These issues remain central to the sustainable performance of greenhouse crops, one of the discussion themes of Fruit Council 2026, on December 1-3 in Agadir, around the official theme dedicated to fungal diseases of greenhouse vegetable crops. See the program.