Integrated management of irrigation water in the irrigated perimeter of Tadla (Morocco) and involvement of farmers in the aquifer contract

Abstract

Integrated Water Resources Management is a topic of great importance for both researchers and decision-makers, among the solutions proposed to better manage this crucial resource what is called an aquifer contract, which is a participatory way of managing groundwater. The Oum er Rbia basin agency and its partners launched the study of the aquifer contract of Tadla aquifer. The objective of this study is to collect data on the use of irrigation water on the one hand, and to introduce the notion of aquifer contract to farmers in the irrigated area of Tadla, and to integrate and engage them in the process of water resources management of the Tadla aquifer complex on the other hand. For this purpose, we have carried out journeys with farmers in the irrigated perimeter of Tadla, whose objective is on the one hand to collect data relating to agricultural holdings as well as to the use of water in the various agricultural activities, and on the other hand, raising farmers' awareness of the aquifer contract and its objectives. This study allowed us to collect important data on farms and farmers' practices and allowed us to understand the current state of the use of water resources in the agricultural sector, which helps to propose adequate solutions. The data collected showed increased overexploitation of irrigation water due to the high number of sampling points, the traditional irrigation methods that waste huge amounts of water, and the exaggerated pumping times that far exceed the needs of plantations. The present study has contributed to farmers' awareness of the interest of saving this common resource and has introduced the notion of aquifer contract and its major role in the sustainability of water resources.