LA visit first focused on the Dakhla seawater desalination project. Accompanied by the Secretary of State responsible for Maritime Fisheries, Zakia Driouich, the minister subsequently carried out visits to agricultural and fishery projects. These are the commercial infrastructures of agricultural products, an industrial unit dedicated to fishery valuation and the launch of the distribution of radioilises for the benefit of craft boats.
5,200 ha irrigation project from seawater desalination
The seawater desalination project was a major step in this visit. This structuring project, launched as part of the new development model of the southern provinces, initiated by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, that God assists in 2016, consists in the construction of a desalination station fueled by a wind farm and a modern irrigation network. It is carried out as part of a public-private partnership, with a global investment of 2.6 billion dirhams.
This project includes in particular:
• the construction of a seawater desalination station with an annual capacity of 37 million cubic meters, including 30 million intended for irrigation and 7 million to strengthen the supply of drinking water from the city of Dakhla and its surroundings;
• equipment and irrigation with an agricultural area of 5,200 hectares;
• The creation of a wind farm with a capacity of 60 megawatts to guarantee a sustainable energy supply, making it possible to reduce the carbon footprint of the project and to strengthen its environmental integration.
This structuring project will allow the equipment of 219 agricultural operations projects, of which 100 small farms will be allocated to young farmers from the region, thus contributing to the creation of jobs, the promotion of land and the installation of a new generation of farmers.
The project that has reached an advanced stage of realization today will constitute a fundamental lever for economic and social development in the region, as it will contribute to the sustainable supply of fruits and vegetable markets.
Modernization of commercial infrastructure
Two key infrastructure was visited: the local market and the wholesale of fruits and vegetables, made in partnership with the municipality of Dakhla. Their modernization aims to improve marketing circuits and health conditions. The overall level of advancement of the wholesale market is estimated at almost 90 %.
Promotion of fishery resources
The delegation visited an industrial unit dedicated to fishery valuation. With a capacity of 140 tonnes/day, this project, in the final execution phase (95 %), mobilizes an investment of 127 million dirhams and will generate 498 direct and indirect jobs.
She also visited an integrated project for the valuation of small pelagics, initiated as part of an appeal for demonstration of interest launched by the State Secretariat for Maritime Fisheries. This project provides for the creation of six industrial units in Dakhla, for a budget of 1.16 billion dirhams and provides for the creation of 4,378 jobs. It aims to increase the share of locally valued resources and to develop sectors with high added value.
Radio distribution program kicks off
At the headquarters of the Chamber of Maritime Fisheries of the South Atlantic, the Minister accompanied by the Secretary of State for Maritime Fisheries, held a meeting with maritime fishing professionals.
This meeting was marked by the launch of the distribution of radio -seizures as part of the equipment of the craft boats operating in the South Atlantic facade for the location of claims. These are the equipment of 6,183 artisanal fishing boats, including 3,207 in Dakhla. Funded by the State Secretariat for Maritime Fisheries, this project of 20.6 million dirhams, aims to improve working conditions and safety at sea.
Towards an acceleration of structuring sites
This visit made it possible to note the concrete advances of the projects initiated to strengthen the agricultural and fisheries development of the region. It also reflects the vision of His Majesty the King, may God assist him, as carried by the new development model of the South Provinces, structured around integrated competitiveness poles in the sectors of agriculture, maritime fishing, industry and tourism.
