Three agreements on the new public-private partnership program (PPP) to construct and operate an irrigation system in the Atlantic coastal area between Azemmour and Bir Jdid were signed Thursday, December 19th 2013 in Rabat.
This is a delegation contract of this project to "Société Nouvelle Doukkala des Eaux" (SNDKE), and a public financing agreement as well as an agreement for water supply, signed by the Minister of Agriculture and marine fisheries, the Minister of Economy and Finance, the Minister Delegate in charge of Water, the Director of Oum Er Rbia Water Basin Agency and the CEO of (SNDKE) company.
"The area in question, which flourished in market garden production and produce grower is currently experiencing a decline in agricultural activity due to the scarcity and salinization of groundwater, the only resource used for irrigation," lamented the Minister of Agriculture and Maritime Fisheries, Mr. Aziz AKHANNOUCH at the signing ceremony.
"The aim of this program is to bring 15 million m3 per year of surface water from the Oued Oum Er-Rbia to save irrigation on an area of 3,200 ha, operated by more than 600 farmers'", stated the Minister Delegate in Charge of Water, Ms. Charafat AFILAL.
This project requires an overall investment of 366 million dirhams and will be implemented within the framework of a concession granted to a private partner, who will be required to participate in the funding, develop, build and manage irrigation infrastructure for a period of 30 years, indicated the Minister of Economy and Finance, Mr. Mohamed BOUSSAID.