Speaker
Description
Climate change in Morocco, a country characterized by arid and semi arid climates, is leading to a reduction in water availability, increased demand, and growing instability in the hydrological cycle. These climate-driven changes are severely affecting key sectors such as agriculture, energy, and urban water supply; there by threatening food security, economic development, and social stability. Addressing these challenges requires urgent investment in efficient water management systems, the adoption of innovative technologies, and the implementation of sustainable and adaptive policy frameworks. Therefore, to cope with climatic hazards, the development of irrigation has become essential. It has a remarkable effect on the yield and quality of water services.
The multifaceted effect of climate change on Morocco’s water resources and highlights the need for adaptive water governance, technological innovation, and sustainable policy reforms to build resilience in the face of a changing climate. In response, Moroccan governance has initiated several adaptation strategies including investments in irrigation modernization. The National Irrigation Water Saving Program (PNEEI) aims the reconversion of 550 000 ha on the horizon of 2020. The collective conversion is one of the two components of PNEEI and aims the conversion of large scale hydraulic sectors.
These various strategies have accelerated the collective conversion of irrigation systems, resulting in newly modernized sectors equipped with a significant amount of hydro-agricultural infrastructure. To ensure these systems are managed efficiently and maintained in proper working conditions, new challenges have emerged. Cartographic representation remains the best tool for presenting space, but to make it dynamic and a tool for creating dialogue between stakeholders, it must be given a dynamic character. In response, the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS)—has proven to be an effective decision-support tool. GIS facilitates the collection, processing, and analysis of equipment-related data while allowing for the visualization of their geographic locations on satellite maps.
For irrigation development, GIS is invaluable for site suitability analysis, irrigation planning, and the management of canal networks. Techniques such as terrain analysis, proximity analysis, and overlay mapping support the optimal sitting and alignment of irrigation canals. Moreover, GIS enables effective monitoring and management of irrigation distribution, ensuring both equitability and efficiency.
In this context, the present work proposes the development of a computer-based tool using the ArcGIS software. This tool will make it possible to gather, organize, manage, analyze, and combine geographically referenced information, as well as to produce and present a comprehensive database reflecting all the characteristics of the study area (hydromechanical equipment, surface areas, plot divisions, associations, farmers, lots, crops, etc.).
