Morocco’s Watermelon Ban Faces Pressure as Drought Concerns Persist

The lobbies would be formed by a parliamentarian, supported by a large farmer in Tata, owner of a company that markets irrigation systems, reports the Arabic daily Al Akhbar. After holding a meeting with other farmers in the region to set up a coordination to put pressure on the local authorities, several actions have already been taken to demand the resumption of watermelon cultivation. We can mention the mobilization of women from several douars and a sit-in of protest against the ban on this culture.

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A year ago, a prefectural decree had been issued to regulate the cultivation of watermelons. The cultivation of the red watermelon has been prohibited, as this fruit would contribute greatly to the water stress observed in the southeast of the country. The same decree also prohibits any expansion or deepening of already authorized wells, the use of crops that consume a lot of water, the overexploitation of groundwater, the suspension of the granting of new authorizations for the drilling of wells, as well as the fight against the transfer of water from existing illegal hollows or wells.

The local authorities have also set up specialized control teams to ensure strict compliance with these provisions.