At the first light of day, a natural paradise stretches as far as the eye can see: tall date palms towering above rows of pomegranate and almond trees, and patches of mint filling the air with delicate fragrance. Every fruit reflects the care and perseverance of generations of farmers.
Here, on Mohamed Hammadi's palm grove in Zaouiat Aynasse, 270 kilometers from Marrakech, rural life draws its beauty from water that winds its way from reservoirs to the roots of the palms.
Until recently, maintaining this paradise was very challenging.
"It used to take more than an hour for water from the basin to reach our palm trees, and the flow was so weak that we were never sure we would have enough," Mohamed recalls. "A lot of water was lost in the traditional earthen canals, and our palms were not irrigated sufficiently."
Since 2021, the Program to Support Inclusive and Sustainable Development of Agricultural and Rural Areas (PADIDZAR) has made a huge difference. Financed with €114 million from the African Development Bank Group, it is being implemented in partnership with Morocco's Ministry of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development and Water and Forests.
After three years of implementation, the PADIDZAR program has rehabilitated more than 450 kilometers of canals, restored 35 water catchment systems, developed more than 220 water points, and renovated 55 kilometers of access roads to irrigated areas. More than 33,000 farms and nearly 80,000 people have benefited from improved access to water.
"Investing in water means investing in the future of agricultural value chains and the rural communities that sustain them. This program turns access to water into a powerful driver of resilience, productivity, and prosperity for thousands of farmers, while also creating new local economic opportunities," says Achraf Tarsim, Country Manager of the African Development Bank in Morocco. "Through PADIDZAR, the African Development Bank Group is making sustainable access to water a key lever for agricultural transformation and value creation."
The program has supported small farmers by rehabilitating and developing water infrastructure and ensuring more reliable conditions for irrigating crops. Today, the "blue gold" reaches Mohamed's palm grove in less than fifteen minutes - and is now three times as much water as before. The results speak for themselves: yields have increased and incomes risen by as much as 50 to 100 percent.
"Thanks to Allah, and after the rehabilitation and improvement of the canal (seguia), the basin, and the underground water galleries (khettaras), water now reaches the farthest point of the palm grove in less than twenty minutes. The volume of water has also increased significantly. As a result, our production has grown: we consume part of it and sell the rest," says Mohamed, the palm dates farmer.
These gains have allowed him to plant more trees, build a house, and pay his children's school fees. He is also looking forward to the rehabilitation of the rural road leading to Agdez--the nearest large town to his palm grove--which will make it easier to transport his produce to local markets.
Rachid and the Rise of the Olive Grove
Three hundred kilometers from Mohamed's palm grove, the first light of day illuminates Rachid Jait's olive trees, in the commune of Mzouda, about 70 kilometers southwest of Marrakech. This olive grove is an enchanting landscape: row after row of neatly aligned trees, carefully tended soil, and in the distance, the arid relief of Morocco contrasting with this haven of greenery.
Here too, accessing water was a daily challenge. Rachid's grove received only a quarter of its water needs--sometimes after an hour of waiting--putting both trees and harvests at risk.
Since the intervention of PADIDZAR, water now arrives in less than ten minutes, meeting almost half of his needs, and resulting in a 30 percent increase in yields and more than 25 percent in additional income. Part of this additional production is driven by the involvement of the Tawanza women's cooperative, which has been supported through capacity-building and training programs.
Rachid has been reinvesting this extra income, installing drip irrigation, building a reinforced concrete basin, and planting new olive trees. These improvements have also enabled him to renovate his home, build housing for his family, and enjoy leisure time that allows him to travel more within the country.
"My wife and I are considering investing in a guesthouse to promote our country and our region, Mzouda," he says.
Their ambition: to set up their own olive processing unit, while also showcasing local heritage.
Tangible Impact for Rural Communities
Mohamed and Rachid are not exceptions - they are powerful examples of how secure access to water can transform the lives of small farmers, taking them from survival to prosperity.
Thanks to the contribution of the African Development Bank Group, a new rural middle class is emerging in Morocco, creating more value and jobs across local territories. Here, as elsewhere, water remains--more than ever--a source of life and development.
