Zagora Province Limits Watermelon Farming Amid Water Crisis

In a correspondence, the governor has invited the local authorities to regularize the exploitation of watermelon cultivation (yellow and red). This regulation follows the joint decision of the government to exclude water-depleting crops from the aid allocated to local irrigation, the letter points out.

More specifically, the areas intended for watermelon cultivation will be limited between 5,000 m² and 1 hectare not to be exceeded during this 2022-2023 agricultural season. And it is strictly forbidden to grow watermelons in the protection areas, located near the drinking water pumping lands, it is added.

According to the explanations, these areas are determined by a local commission which has located them in the regions intended for drinking water supply, the banks of the Drâa Wadi and the rivers of the wadis. Non-compliance with any of these provisions may result in sanctions, the governor warned.