Year 2018, Volume 3, Issue 3
| Year : | 2018 |
| Volume : | 3 |
| Issue : | 3 |
| Authors : | Oumaima ASSOULI, Hamid EL BILALI, Aziz ABOUABDILLAH, Rachid HARBOUZE, Nabil El JAOUHARI, Mohamed CHAOUI, Rachid BOUABID |
| Title : | TRANSITION FROM SURFACE TO DRIP IRRIGATION IN MOROCCO: ANALYSIS THROUGH THE MULTI-LEVEL PERSPECTIVE |
| Abstract : | Agriculture uses more than 80% of water resources in Morocco. The sector is inefficient in terms of water use due to the dominance of surface irrigation. To address this issue, there have been efforts in Moroccan strategies to convert surface irrigation to localized one. This paper analyses the dynamics of conversion from surface irrigation to drip irrigation in Fez-Meknes region (north-eastern Morocco) through the lens of the Multi-Level Perspective (MLP) on socio-technical transitions. MLP framework suggests that transitions are the results of dialectic interactions among a niche (cf. novelty of drip irrigation), a regime (cf. traditional system of surface irrigation) and the socio-technical landscape (e.g. policies). MLP was complemented with a multi-capital approach to better assess transition impacts. Results show that the area equipped with drip irrigation in Fez-Meknes region increased from 2174 ha in 2008 to 39290 ha in 2016. Different programs have been implemented in the framework of the Green Morocco Plan to foster irrigation transition e.g. the National Irrigation Water Saving Program (PNEEI), launched in 2007, aims to convert 550,000 ha to localized irrigation (e.g. drip irrigation) in 15 years. Thanks to these programs, financial and technical support has been provided to farmers to promote the adoption of water-saving irrigation techniques and practices. Farm-level results show that transition to localized irrigation decreases irrigation water use, increases yields and profitability (cf. gross margin per ha), and improves water productivity. Despite an enabling policy landscape and positive transition impacts, surface irrigation is still maintained in the region and farmers are reluctant to change for many reasons (e.g. age and education level, unclear land tenure, financial and administrative difficulties). Efforts are still needed to train farmers on irrigation scheduling and on the use of smart irrigation techniques to save water. Further research is required to better understand current bottlenecks in the irrigation transition process and design appropriate and context-specific transition governance strategies. |
| For citation : | Assouli, O., El Bilali, H., Abouabdillah, A., Harbouze, R., El Jaouhari, N., Chaoui, M., Bouabid, R. (2018). Transition from surface to drip irrigation in Morocco: analysis through the multi-level perspective. AGROFOR International Journal, Volume 3. Issue No. 3. pp. 142-151. DOI: 10.7251/AGRENG1803142A |
| Keywords : | Sustainable agriculture, Irrigation, Multi-Level Perspective, Sustainability transitions, Multi-capital model. |
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ISSN 2490-3434 (Printed)
ISSN 2490-3442 (Online)
ISSN 2490-3442 (Online)
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