Morocco’s Kaddoussa Dam irrigation project begins operations

MOROCCO – The irrigation network linked to the Kaddoussa Dam in Morocco’s Errachidia province officially began operations this July 2025, marking a turning point for local farming communities and the country’s broader agricultural policy.

The project, launched in 2018, will channel 30 million cubic meters of water each year across 5,000 hectares. This includes 825 hectares of traditional palm groves in Oued Naam and 4,175 hectares of collective lands equipped with modern irrigation systems.

Around 16,600 residents will benefit directly, among them 299 collective landholders and 37 private agricultural promoters.

“This irrigation system strengthens our ability to cope with drought and gives farmers better control over their crops,” said a local project official. “It supports both tradition and innovation.”

Beyond the immediate agricultural benefit, the project generated over 3.6 million labor days during construction. It also financed 139 development projects aimed at youth, cooperatives, and community groups, backed by 30 million Moroccan dirhams.

These initiatives provide training, tools, and organizational support to ensure that water access leads to lasting improvements in income and food security.

The irrigation network forms part of Morocco’s national strategies, Plan Maroc Vert and Génération Green. Both aim to promote climate-resilient farming and create stronger links between water infrastructure, technology, and community development.

The 1 billion MAD public investment was co-financed by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), which provided 42 percent (41 percent as a loan and 1 percent as a grant). The Green Climate Fund contributed 21 percent, while the Moroccan government covered the remaining 37 percent.

“This kind of project shows how international and local support can work together to help people live better and grow more,” said an AFD spokesperson.

Stronger water management ties into broader strategy

The Kaddoussa project also supports the sustainable use of the Meski-Boudenib aquifer. A participatory agreement signed in 2023 guides its management, involving local stakeholders and reinforcing long-term water use planning in the region.

The importance of irrigation is growing across Morocco. While only about 20 percent of the country’s arable land is irrigated, this land produces around half of all agricultural output and 75 percent of agricultural exports. In dry seasons, irrigated farming provides up to 70 percent of the sector’s value.

In 2024, Morocco’s drip irrigation market alone generated US$116.7 million and is expected to reach US$237 million by 2030. Local companies and international partners are investing in precision tools such as moisture and temperature sensors to improve efficiency and reduce waste.

Efforts like the Kaddoussa Dam network reflect a broader shift in how Morocco approaches farming and water use.

In regions like Souss-Massa, where underground water levels fall by up to two meters a year, irrigation modernization has become a top priority.

The government’s Plan National d’Economie d’Eau d’Irrigation, backed by the World Bank, promotes these shifts by supporting 24/7 water delivery and water-saving technology.

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