On February 12, 2026, Green Smile launched the very first session of the AgriPro Afterwork at the Sofitel Royal Bay in Agadir.

The AgriPro Afterwork is an end-of-day meeting format, organized after working hours for a two-hour session, designed to provide producers, cooperatives, agripreneurs, and value chain stakeholders with a convivial and strategic space for exchange around the major challenges shaping the agricultural sector.

This first session, sponsored by Hortitool Consulting, was led by Hassan Benabderraziq, former Secretary General of the Ministry of Agriculture, focused on a topic that has become central to Moroccan agriculture: the future of desalination.

In a region such as Souss-Massa, subject to persistent water stress, desalination is no longer a theoretical prospect. It is already supplying farms and directly influencing investment decisions. However, while the technology is gradually establishing itself as a structuring solution, its future depends on specific economic, energy, and institutional conditions.

Desalination: A Structural Response in a Context of Water Stress

The shared conclusion of this first session was clear: securing agricultural water supply has become a major strategic priority.

In Souss-Massa, the gradual depletion of groundwater resources is forcing a transition toward alternative water sources. Desalination is emerging as a lever to stabilize economic activity, preserve employment, and secure agricultural investments.

However, this transition cannot be considered without a thorough assessment of the model’s long-term viability.

An Economic Model Under Pressure

One of the most striking points discussed was the gap between the actual production cost and the price charged to farmers.

The production cost of desalinated water can reach approximately 9 dirhams/m³, while the billed price is around 5.5 dirhams/m³. This gap naturally raises questions about long-term financial sustainability.

The main explanation lies in the high energy intensity of the process. A significant share of the cost — approximately 3 dirhams/m³ — is linked to electricity consumption. In this context, the competitiveness of desalination is directly tied to energy transition and plant optimization.

The development of solar and wind energy therefore appears to be a key strategic pathway to reducing production costs.

The Producer’s Dilemma: Groundwater or Desalination?

On the ground, economic reality remains decisive.

The cost of pumping groundwater may be estimated at around 0.80 DH/m³, compared to approximately 5 DH/m³ for desalinated water. For many producers, the economic choice is therefore clear.

This disparity explains why desalination cannot constitute a sustainable solution without a strict governance framework regulating groundwater withdrawals. Without effective control, the incentive to continue drilling remains strong.

The central message of the session was unequivocal: desalination and groundwater regulation must progress together.

Technical Constraints and Structural Trade-offs

Desalination follows an industrial logic of continuous production, whereas agricultural demand is highly seasonal.

The infrastructure investments involved — sometimes designed for very large capacities — require sufficient utilization rates to maintain controlled unit costs. If demand fluctuates, costs increase.

Another major constraint is the high cost of storing desalinated water, which limits system flexibility.

These factors call for a comprehensive reflection on balancing production, demand, storage capacity, and the overall water mix (groundwater, dam water, desalination).

The Case of Chtouka: Toward a Regulated Model

The example of Chtouka provided a concrete illustration of ongoing developments.

The project plans to double capacity, confirming the growing importance of desalination within the regional water strategy. At the same time, the installation of meters and control mechanisms is progressing, despite some resistance.

The objective is to establish a realistic balance between reasoned groundwater use and desalination, while improving irrigation efficiency and water management at farm level.

Energy optimization is also a key priority. The comparisons presented show that solar energy can offer significantly lower costs than grid electricity, opening promising prospects for improving the model’s competitiveness.

Preventing Future Shortages: Toward an Integrated Approach

The session concluded with a strategic question: how can future water shortage episodes in the Souss region be prevented?

Several priorities emerged:

- strengthening infrastructure reliability,

- securing financing,

- controlling costs,

- developing alternative energy solutions,

- improving water-use efficiency,

- establishing clear, stable, and transparent groundwater governance.
 

Beyond desalination, the discussions also highlighted the importance of mobilizing other local water resources. One participant noted that in the Souss region, flood events are observed approximately every seven years. The installation of dams or retention structures could help reduce water losses to the sea and capture these volumes during periods of heavy rainfall. This proposal underscores that a sustainable water strategy must integrate the full water mix, including the management and valorization of floodwater at the watershed level.

A Collective Transition

This first AgriPro Afterwork confirmed that desalination represents a structuring solution for the future of Moroccan agriculture. However, it cannot be viewed as a standalone response. Its success depends on a collective approach involving the State, producers, financial institutions, and all stakeholders across the value chain.

Beyond technology itself, it is the ability to organize a well-managed and integrated water transition that will determine the long-term resilience of agriculture in the Souss-Massa region.

Registrations are now open for the next session (click here)