Region Accelerates Agricultural Modernization: Over 118,000 Hectares Equipped with Localized Irrigation in Souss-Massa

A meeting devoted to the review of the 2025 fiscal year and the monitoring of ongoing programmes, confirming the strategic position of the region in national agricultural development.

With more than 118,000 hectares equipped with localized irrigation, a major contribution to national citrus and early‑season produce exports, and budget execution rates exceeding 97 %, the Regional Office for Agricultural Development of Souss‑Massa reports significant performance. Convened on Tuesday, 14 July 2026 in Agadir under the chairmanship of Ahmed El Bouari, Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development and Water and Forests, the Office’s board of directors took stock of the 2025 achievements and examined the progress of the flagship programmes aimed at strengthening the sustainability and resilience of regional agriculture. In his opening remarks, the minister recalled the Souss‑Massa region’s contribution to national agricultural production, high‑value‑added value chains, agricultural exports and employment. He emphasized the need to continue modernising the sector and to accelerate the rollout of structural projects in a context marked by climate‑change challenges and water‑resource scarcity.

During the meeting, the Office’s director presented the technical and financial results of the 2025 fiscal year and the execution status of the 2026 budgets. The board also reviewed the agricultural sector’s performance for the 2025‑2026 campaign and the progress of the main irrigation and hydro‑agricultural development programmes, notably the National Water‑Saving Irrigation Programme (PNEEI), the Small and Medium‑Scale Hydraulic Programme (PMH) and the Irrigation Resilience and Sustainability Project (REDI). The 2025 fiscal year was characterized by continued investments to reinforce agricultural sustainability and improve water‑use efficiency. “The areas equipped with localized irrigation now exceed 118,000 hectares, confirming the advances made in modernising irrigation systems,” the Office noted.

The meeting also provided an update on the operation of the seawater‑desalination plant supplying the Chtouka plain, one of the flagship achievements of the agricultural strategy aimed at consolidating the plain’s farming economy. “The Souss‑Massa region remains the main production basin for citrus and early‑season vegetable crops.

For the 2025‑2026 agricultural campaign, it accounted for more than 65 % of national citrus exports and reaffirmed its role as the leading supplier to the domestic fruit and vegetable market,” the report states. Financially, budget execution performed well. The 2025 investment budget was fully committed at 100 % and disbursed at 98 %, while the operating budget showed a 97 % execution rate and an 81 % disbursement rate.

Moreover, the collection rate of irrigation water fees on eligible receivables reached 98 %.

Regarding the current fiscal year, as of 30 June 2026, the investment budget showed commitment and disbursement rates of 99 % and 46 % respectively.

Source : aujourdhui