Latest news with #Agadir
Malay Mail
03-07-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Morocco turns to desalination to save crops, jobs as drought worsens
AGADIR, July 4 — On the drought-stricken plains of Morocco's Chtouka region, cherry tomato farms stretch as far as the eye can see, clinging to life through a single, environmentally contentious lifeline: desalination. 'We wouldn't be here without it,' said Abir Lemseffer, who manages production for the tomato giant Azura. Severe drought driven by climate change has gripped the North African country since 2018, leaving Azura's 800 hectares (2,000 acres) of farms entirely dependent on desalinated water. But the technology comes at a high cost—both financially and environmentally. It is energy-intensive, and in a country where more than half of the electricity still comes from coal, it carries a heavy carbon footprint. Since 2022, Morocco's largest desalination plant, located nearby, has been producing 125,000 cubic metres (4.4 million cubic feet) of water a day. The supply irrigates 12,000 hectares of farmland and provides drinking water for 1.6 million people in Agadir and surrounding areas, said Ayoub Ramdi of the regional agricultural development office. By the end of 2026, officials hope to boost production to 400,000 cubic metres of water, half of which would be designated for agriculture. Without that water, 'a catastrophic scenario would loom over Morocco', said Rqia Bourziza, an agronomist. Agriculture, which contributes about 12 percent to Morocco's overall economy, has been badly hit by six consecutive years of drought—prompting the country to go all-in on desalination. Across Morocco, there are 16 plants capable of producing 270 million cubic metres of water per year, with a target of reaching 1.7 billion cubic metres by 2030. Desalination is a good alternative, but only for high-value crops such as tomatoes and orchard fruits. — AFP pic Pricey water While around 1,500 farmers in the Agadir region make use of the water provided by the plant, others don't because it's simply too expensive. Among them is Hassan, who grows courgettes and peppers on half a hectare of land and uses water from a well shared with 60 other farmers. 'I can't afford to use that water,' he said, declining to give his full name. Desalinated water is sold at $0.56 per cubic metre, excluding taxes, compared with $0.11 per cubic metre for conventional water. That hefty price tag comes despite a 40 percent subsidy from public coffers. Ali Hatimy, another agronomist, said 'the cost of desalinated water significantly reduces the range of potential crops because only very high-value-added crops can offset it'. Bourziza insisted that desalination was 'a very good alternative' but only for high-value crops such as tomatoes and orchard fruits. Beyond the financial cost, desalination also exerts an environmental cost, said Hatimy. 'The production of desalinated water requires tremendous amounts of electrical energy and brine discharges impact marine ecosystems,' he said. Highly concentrated brine is a byproduct of the desalination process. Ramdi, from the agricultural development office, said that 'no impact' had been observed in the waters around Agadir, adding that the brine was diluted before its release. While Morocco has a growing share of renewable energy, 62 percent of its electricity came from coal in 2023 and 14 percent from oil and gas, according to the International Energy Agency. Insufficient groundwater The stakes in the wider region of Souss-Massa, which accounts for 85 percent of Morocco's fruit and vegetable exports, are high. Nearly two million tonnes are produced each year, with a turnover of $1.1 billion. Ramdi said the desalination plant had thus helped to protect $1 billion of revenue a year and more than a million jobs. 'Desalination has saved agriculture in Chtouka,' said Mohamed Boumarg, walking through one of his tomato greenhouses. 'Before, I only cultivated five hectares because I was constrained by the amount of water I had. Groundwater was not sufficient,' said the 38-year-old farmer who now grows 20 hectares of tomatoes, with 60 percent of his crop marked for export. 'Our survival depends on it,' said Lemseffer of Azura. 'Either we accept sacrificing some of our margin by using desalinated water, or we close up shop.' — AFP
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Drought-hit Morocco turns to desalination to save vegetable bounty
On the drought-stricken plains of Morocco's Chtouka region, cherry tomato farms stretch as far as the eye can see, clinging to life through a single, environmentally contentious lifeline: desalination. "We wouldn't be here without it," said Abir Lemseffer, who manages production for the tomato giant Azura. Severe drought driven by climate change has gripped the North African country since 2018, leaving Azura's 800 hectares (2,000 acres) of farms entirely dependent on desalinated water. But the technology comes at a high cost -- both financially and environmentally. It is energy-intensive, and in a country where more than half of the electricity still comes from coal, it carries a heavy carbon footprint. Since 2022, Morocco's largest desalination plant, located nearby, has been producing 125,000 cubic metres (4.4 million cubic feet) of water a day. The supply irrigates 12,000 hectares of farmland and provides drinking water for 1.6 million people in Agadir and surrounding areas, said Ayoub Ramdi of the regional agricultural development office. By the end of 2026, officials hope to boost production to 400,000 cubic metres of water, half of which would be designated for agriculture. Without that water, "a catastrophic scenario would loom over Morocco", said Rqia Bourziza, an agronomist. Agriculture, which contributes about 12 percent to Morocco's overall economy, has been badly hit by six consecutive years of drought -- prompting the country to go all-in on desalination. Across Morocco, there are 16 plants capable of producing 270 million cubic metres of water per year, with a target of reaching 1.7 billion cubic metres by 2030. - Pricey water - While around 1,500 farmers in the Agadir region make use of the water provided by the plant, others don't because it's simply too expensive. Among them is Hassan, who grows courgettes and peppers on half a hectare of land and uses water from a well shared with 60 other farmers. "I can't afford to use that water," he said, declining to give his full name. Desalinated water is sold at $0.56 per cubic metre, excluding taxes, compared with $0.11 per cubic metre for conventional water. That hefty price tag comes despite a 40 percent subsidy from public coffers. Ali Hatimy, another agronomist, said "the cost of desalinated water significantly reduces the range of potential crops because only very high-value-added crops can offset it". Bourziza insisted that desalination was "a very good alternative" but only for high-value crops such as tomatoes and orchard fruits. Beyond the financial cost, desalination also exerts an environmental cost, said Hatimy. "The production of desalinated water requires tremendous amounts of electrical energy and brine discharges impact marine ecosystems," he said. Highly concentrated brine is a byproduct of the desalination process. Ramdi, from the agricultural development office, said that "no impact" had been observed in the waters around Agadir, adding that the brine was diluted before its release. While Morocco has a growing share of renewable energy, 62 percent of its electricity came from coal in 2023 and 14 percent from oil and gas, according to the International Energy Agency. - Insufficient groundwater - The stakes in the wider region of Souss-Massa, which accounts for 85 percent of Morocco's fruit and vegetable exports, are high. Nearly two million tonnes are produced each year, with a turnover of $1.1 billion. Ramdi said the desalination plant had thus helped to protect $1 billion of revenue a year and more than a million jobs. "Desalination has saved agriculture in Chtouka," said Mohamed Boumarg, walking through one of his tomato greenhouses. "Before, I only cultivated five hectares because I was constrained by the amount of water I had. Groundwater was not sufficient," said the 38-year-old farmer who now grows 20 hectares of tomatoes, with 60 percent of his crop marked for export. "Our survival depends on it," said Lemseffer of Azura. "Either we accept sacrificing some of our margin by using desalinated water, or we close up shop." kao/anr/iba-fka/dcp/dv/sco Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Yahoo
UK tourists choosing Mediterranean rival over Spain with cheaper flights and hotels
Amid sharp price rises when travelling to Spain, more and more British tourists are turning away from the European country in favour of Morocco as they seek more affordable and diverse travel options. Compared to pre-pandemic prices, flights from the UK to Spain have more than doubled in some cases, no longer making it an option for budget-conscious tourists, reports In contrast, flights to Morocco have remained affordable, with recent figures from travel agencies and booking platforms showing the scales have tipped in the African country's favour. READ MORE: UK tourists in Spain urged 'not to drink' as authorities issue major alert Get breaking news on BirminghamLive WhatsApp, click the link to join Now, Morocco has become a top choice among Brits looking for an affordable while still enriching holiday experience. TUI UK has reported a 30% rise in summer bookings to Egypt compared to 2024, along with double-digit growth for Tunisia and strong demand for Morocco, all citing better value for money. Meanwhile, recorded a 68% increase in searches for summer breaks in Tunisia, with increases in Egypt and Morocco of 64% and 39%, respectively. Morocco has become increasingly popular thanks to its high-quality hotels, which are being advertised at significantly lower prices than similar options in Spain, France and Italy. For example, a week's holiday in Agadir averages around £889 per person, while popular destinations like Santorini and Mykonos in Greece and Marbella in Spain now require travellers to fork out prices ranging from £1,000 up to £2,700 per person, according to EuroWeekly. Meanwhile, recorded a 68% increase in searches for summer breaks in Tunisia, with rises in Egypt and Morocco of 64% and 39%, respectively. Morocco has become increasingly popular thanks to its high-quality hotels, which are being offered at significantly lower prices than similar options in Spain, France and Italy. For example, a week's holiday in Agadir averages around £889 per person, while popular destinations like Santorini and Mykonos in Greece and Marbella in Spain now require travellers to fork out prices ranging from £1,000 up to £2,700 per person, according to EuroWeekly. While Spain remains a favourite destination for many, the cost of flights and accommodation has sharply increased, especially in hotspots like the Canary Islands and Costa del Sol on the southern coast. These price hikes are a result of both increased demand and new tourist taxes introduced by local governments to fund sustainability projects and improve the lives of locals. However, these additional fees are starting to drive budget-conscious tourists away. Morocco's tourism sector has expanded rapidly, and millions of visitors arrive annually. The country has made considerable investments in infrastructure, safety, and marketing, and it has now become a top holiday destination for British tourists seeking sunny getaways that combine both adventure and relaxation. Tourists can explore vibrant medinas in Marrakech, Fez, and Rabat, discover stunning mosques like the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, trek through the Atlas Mountains, relax on beautiful beaches, and experience the Sahara Desert while hitching a ride on a camel. Meanwhile, Spain continues to tackle overcrowding in its most popular areas and ongoing protests by locals who share concerns about the cost of living, housing and the environmental impact of mass tourism. On Sunday (June 15), thousands of angry Majorcans marched through the capital, Palma, telling tourists to "go home". Morocco's unmatched affordable prices, rich culture, and expanding tourism infrastructure are quickly making it a preferred destination for British holidaymakers, meaning Spain will need to devise a plan to respond.
Arab News
20-06-2025
- Climate
- Arab News
Morocco says 2024 ‘hottest year' on record
RABAT: The year 2024 was Morocco's hottest on record, the North African country's meteorological agency said on Friday, mirroring the record surface temperatures measured globally. In an annual report, the agency said it recorded an average temperature anomaly of +1.49 degrees Celsius (+2.7 Fahrenheit) last year compared to the 1991-2020 period. 'The year 2024 stands out as the hottest ever recorded in Morocco,' it said, adding that every month in 2024, excluding June and September, had been hotter than the average for the 1991-2020 reference period. Several cities broke daily heat records, with 47.6 degrees Celsius (117.7 Fahrenheit) in Marrakech and 47.7 degrees Celsius (117.8 Fahrenheit) in Beni Mellal in July last year, the agency said. It also noted 'an increase in thermal anomalies, particularly during the autumn and winter seasons.' Morocco's all-time heat record was set in August 2023, when temperatures hit 50.4 degrees Celsius (122 Fahrenheit) in Agadir. The country, which is enduring a seventh straight year of drought, registered an average rainfall deficit of -24.7 percent last year, the report said. The agency said last year's data reflected 'an amplification of climate contrasts in Morocco, where prolonged droughts alternate with episodes of extreme precipitation.' Torrential rains in September 2024 — causing floods and killing 18 people — 'did not reverse the overall rainfall deficit,' it added. Moroccan climatologist Mohammed-Said Karrouk, who also heads Morocco's National Future Planet Committee, warned that the kingdom's geography and climate make it more vulnerable to temperature extremes. He said warming was now observed in all seasons. 'In autumn, lingering summer heat combined with gradually cooling temperatures favors violent downpours, which have become more dangerous due to excess humidity in the atmosphere,' he said. 'In winter, the heat originating mostly from warming tropical oceans now influences North Africa as well.' A former member of the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Karrouk also warned of a recent intensification of the West African monsoon — a seasonal wind system that brings moist air from the Atlantic Ocean — which he linked to the deadly September floods. He called for the construction of shelters to protect vulnerable populations and dams to capture water — a valuable resource with Morocco's unrelenting drought. Weather extremes have taken a toll on farming, a vital sector for Morocco which employs nearly a third of its active population and accounts for 12 percent of GDP. Scientists say that recurring heatwaves are a clear marker of global warming and that they are set to become more frequent, longer and more intense. Fuelled by human-driven climate change, 2024 was the warmest year on record globally — and 2025 is projected to rank among the top three.
Daily Mail
04-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Furious British women expose Moroccan cab driver's scam on camera as he rips them off - now his audacious con has become a national scandal
A Moroccan taxi driver who tried to rip off a pair of British tourists was called out for his audacious scam, with video of the row sparking a national scandal in the country. Two women who were travelling in the popular coastal city of Agadir filmed the moment the cabbie challenged them over how much they paid him. The man accuses the holidaymakers of not handing over the full fare for their trip, repeatedly counting and showing them the cash they gave him. However footage shows how he has hidden a 200 dirham (£15) note beneath his vehicle, seemingly hoping the women wouldn't notice. He repeatedly demands the women give him more cash, getting more irate as they refuse and insist he has already charged them too much. 'Do not come near me! Give me the money,' one woman says as she demands he give back some of the cash. 'We're going to tell the police that you're robbing us, you're stealing money,' the other then says repeatedly. He starts trying to convince them to hand him another bank note, at which point the woman points out he has hidden some of their cash beneath the car. The woman's friend tries to give him a smaller note in exchange for some of their money back, but she warns her that he will drive off with all the cash if she does. Grabbing the note off the floor, the driver then jumps into his car to drive away as the women continue to hurl insults at him. 'F***ing weirdo,' one of the disgusted women calls the man as he continues to berate them from the driver's seat, pointing and yelling. The taxi driver has since been arrested on suspicion of fraud and a breach of trust, according to Moroccan media. Authorities in the country are said to have reviewed the video and taken complaints from the two women, who reportedly said he charged them more than the set fare. The clip has made TV news headlines in Morocco, triggering a debate about the safety and regulation around private hire cabs. It appeared after footage of a separate incident involving a taxi driver caused outrage in Agadir last week. Video shared widely on social media shows the unnamed driver attacking two women in the street in the early hours of Friday morning. The man, reported to be in his 40s, was arrested that evening as he attempted to flee the city. Locals are reported to have reacted furiously to both videos, with many claiming that it damages Morocco's image as a global tourist destination and demanding tighter regulation. There have been calls in Morocco for more ride-hailing apps instead of private taxi firms to help reduce assaults and scams carried out by unscrupulous drivers. It comes after two British tourists died last month when their vehicle overturned on a busy road in Agadir. The driver and two other British tourists with them were hurt during the incident in the port city of Agadir, sustaining injuries of 'varying severity', according to local media. Emergency services, as well as security and civil defence personnel, arrived at the scene on Resistance Street to provide first aid. The casualties were taken to a nearby hospital in the city on Sunday. Their condition was unclear this morning. Security services have now launched a full investigation to understand what caused the car to roll onto its roof. Agadir is a major city and popular tourist destination on the southern Atlantic coast, south west of Marrakech and Casablanca. The former Portuguese trade hub today flourishes as a destination for tourists, welcoming visitors to its pristine beaches and local history. The 1934 film Le Grand Jeu was filmed there.
