Supporting dairy farms by improving water productivity in the Tadla irrigation scheme (Morocco)

Abstract

A research intervention was conducted in the dairy supply chain of the Tadla irrigation scheme in Morocco. The main objective was to assess water productivity through dual purpose herds (milk and meat) and to identify ways of improving it through better fodder yields and cattle rearing practices. An intervention method was tested. It relied on technical support for 10 cattle farmers. A regular evaluation of diets distributed to lactating cows was undertaken. In cases of nutritive insufficiencies or imbalances in relation to cows' potential milk yield requirements, an adequate supplementation was proposed and its effects on milk productivity assessed. In addition, a simulation tool was designed and tested with farmers to determine the effects of strategic changes (substitution of crossbreeds by pure Holstein cows, replacement of alfalfa by maize silage, introduction of drip irrigation) on their overall performance. The field study revealed that some 1.8 cubic meters of water were necessary for 1 kg of milk, whereas a volume of 10.6 cubic meters of water was needed for a kg of cattle live weight gain. The economic values of water productivity were 0.07 € and 0.24 € per cubic meter of water, respectively, for milk and live weight gain. The use of balanced diets made it possible to increase the average milk yield per cow. The results indicated that water productivity through irrigated cattle farming may be significantly improved by enhancing cropping and cattle rearing practices. This implies that on-farm extension services have to be improved to test such intervention tools at a larger scale.