Morocco Restricts Watermelon Farming to Combat Severe Drought

The scarcity of rainfall and the drop in the groundwater level in the region have prompted the governor to decide to limit the cultivation of watermelon, which is thirsty for water, and to ban it in certain areas. The measure aims to promote the rational use of water in order to continue to meet the needs for drinking water and irrigation of the populations.

Thus, the governor sets the maximum authorized area for watermelon cultivation at one hectare per farmer for the 2024/2025 agricultural season. Watermelon cultivation is prohibited in protected areas, particularly those located near water pumping or drinking water supply areas and the banks of the Drâa Wadi along the oases and the beds of watercourses.

To measure the amount of water used for irrigation, the decision requires that all wells and boreholes be equipped with water meters that the local commission will be responsible for reading periodically and at the end of the operation in order to assess the state of the water table. Offenders to these measures will be subject to the rigor of the law.

The decision of the Governor of Zagora is part of the implementation of the recommendations of the provincial water commission, resulting from the meeting of September 12 last, aimed at finding solutions to cope with the persistent drought and the decrease in water resources. Also, associations had called on the governor of the province to follow the example of other neighboring provinces and to ban the cultivation of watermelon.