EU Project Aims to Combat Water Scarcity and Soil Erosion in Mediterranean, Including Morocco

Each year, the Mediterranean region loses about 0.5 tons of fertile soil per hectare due to soil erosion, nearly double the European average, according to the European PRIMA REACT4MED project, which aims to restore Mediterranean agricultural ecosystems and prevent soil degradation and desertification.

The project, which will be implemented until 2025, will contribute to providing more in-depth scientific knowledge to enable decision-makers to propose solutions for the sustainable management of land and water. In other words, the REACT4MED project aims at the social and economic development of the Mediterranean, through actions such as reforestation of land, erosion prevention, soil moisture conservation, integrated or organic soil fertility management, use of water resources, etc.

Morocco, Spain, Greece, Italy, Germany, Cyprus, Israel, Turkey and Egypt are participating in this project. Most of these countries suffer from water shortages and have less than 1,000 cubic meters of water per capita per year. For sustainable water management, it is urgent to optimize both crop selection and water use efficiency throughout the production chain, taking into account the water-energy link.

The project also aims to contribute to ensuring the availability of water in terms of quality and quantity, as well as to improving wastewater management. The ultimate goal is to develop innovative and energy-efficient solutions to increase the efficiency and sustainability of water supply in Euro-Mediterranean societies.