Morocco, AFD Ink Agreement on Adaptation of Irrigation to Climate Change

Meknès, 17/04/2017 (MAP) – Morocco and the French Development Agency (AFD) signed, on Monday in Meknès, an agreement on the project for the development and adaptation of irrigation to climate change at the downstream of the Kaddoussa dam.

Signed on the sidelines of the 9th national agriculture conference by minister of agriculture, fisheries, rural development, waters and forests Aziz Akhennouch, minister of economy and finances Mohamed Boussaid and director of AFD in Rabat Eric Baulard, the agreement touches on the said project which will be carried out with the contribution of the AFD by up to 40 million euros and a support by the Green Fund for Climate amounting to 20 mln euros.

Worth 836 mln MAD, the project consists of developing, by 2020, a network for water conveyance and distribution at the downstream of the Kaddoussa dam to secure agricultural development, using the dam surface waters instead of ground waters over a 5,000 ha composed mainly of oases.

Held under the patronage of HM King Mohammed VI, the 9th national agriculture conference is marked by the participation of president of the Republic of Guinea Alpha Condé as guest of honor, as well as foreign agriculture ministers mainly from Italy and Spain.

The event is aimed at raising the awareness of agriculture operators, decision-makers and the public opinion about the pressing need for an efficient, environment-friendly water management.