Souss-Massa: New Irrigated Zone to Boost Agriculture

The Souss-Massa region is boosting its agricultural potential with the launch of a large 10,000‑hectare irrigated zone near Tiznit. The project, funded with 15 billion dirhams, is part of a strategy aimed at strengthening the contribution of agriculture and fishing to the regional GDP, which stands at 18 %.

The project rests on two major pillars: an irrigation network backed by a budget of 6.6 billion dirhams, and a desalination plant financed at 8.4 billion dirhams. The latter, slated to become operational in 2028, will produce 350 million cubic metres of water annually, thereby complementing the capacity of the Chtouka‑Aït Baha plant, whose expansion will raise output to 400,000 cubic metres per day. “This infrastructure will simultaneously provide drinking‑water supply for more than two million people and sustainable irrigation for 13,600 hectares,” officials said.

The new desalination plant, with a capacity of 350 million cubic metres, will constitute “the second pillar of water security” for the region, writes Les Inspirations Eco. It will deliver 100 million cubic metres for drinking water and 250 million for irrigation, covering, among others, the catchments of Oulad Teima and El Guerdane. “Tendering for its construction will be launched by the end of the year,” the source added. Designed as a public‑private partnership (PPP), the project is expected to support 1,800 operators and generate 1,500 direct jobs.

In 2026, farmer subscriptions will open for the scheme, which aims to secure irrigation on 30,000 hectares. “This infrastructure is intended to stabilise agricultural production against climate shocks while guaranteeing a continuous supply of drinking water to the cities of Tiznit, Taroudant and Agadir,” the region explained. It marks another step toward resilience in the agricultural sector and water security for the territory.

Source: le360