Taroudant Nexus: Solar Desalination and Argan Agroforestry for Climate-Resilient Agriculture

The province of Taroudant, located in southern Morocco, has long been recognized as one of the country’s most productive agricultural regions, particularly for citrus, bananas, and vegetable crops. However, in recent years, prolonged droughts, overexploitation of groundwater, and the impacts of climate change have led to the near-total collapse of local agricultural activities. The once fertile lands have become degraded and desertified, threatening rural livelihoods and increasing poverty and migration pressures.

Despite being situated only 40 km from the Atlantic coast, the region faces an acute water scarcity, with groundwater tables reaching critical levels and many wells abandoned. The lack of alternative water sources, coupled with the rising cost of energy and the absence of sustainable irrigation systems, has severely constrained agricultural recovery.

At the same time, the loss of vegetation cover and the decline of traditional agroforestry systems, especially those involving the argan tree (Argania spinosa) — a keystone species in local ecosystems — have accelerated soil erosion and biodiversity loss. These interconnected water, energy, food, and ecosystem challenges underscore the urgent need for integrated and innovative solutions that combine renewable energy, sustainable water management, and agroecological restoration to revitalize the local economy and build climate resilience.

The project aimed to develop and demonstrate an integrated WEFE-oriented solution to address the interlinked challenges of water scarcity, energy dependency, agricultural decline, and ecosystem degradation in the Taroudant region. The intervention was designed to target all four dimensions of the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem (WEFE) Nexus, ensuring a holistic and sustainable approach to local development.

Specifically, the project envisioned:

• Water: The introduction of treated wastewater reuse systems and efficient irrigation technologies (e.g., drip irrigation) to optimize water use in agriculture.
• Energy: The installation of solar-powered pumping systems to replace diesel-based irrigation, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions and operational costs.
• Food: The revitalization of local agricultural production through climate-resilient crops and agroecological practices that enhance food security and farmers’ income.
• Ecosystem: The restoration of degraded lands and promotion of agroforestry, particularly the integration of argan trees, to improve biodiversity, soil fertility, and landscape resilience.

Stakeholder consultations were conducted with local farmers, women’s cooperatives, water user associations, and municipal representatives to co-design the intervention, ensuring that it aligns with community priorities and capacities.

The short-term goals included testing the feasibility of solar-powered wastewater irrigation and building local capacity for system maintenance and water-efficient farming. The long-term goals focused on scaling up the model across the region, promoting the adoption of circular resource management practices, and strengthening the climate resilience and socio-economic inclusion of rural households, particularly women and youth.

The project implemented a series of coordinated technical and social actions to restore degraded agricultural lands in the Taroudant province through the integrated Water–Energy–Food–Ecosystem (WEFE) approach. The first phase focused on installing a solar-powered desalination unit designed to produce approximately 5,000 liters of freshwater per day. The system, based on reverse osmosis technology, is entirely powered by a 12 kWp photovoltaic array, ensuring zero-carbon operation and continuous irrigation supply for pilot agricultural plots.

Following the successful water and energy setup, the project established 10 hectares of agroforestry demonstration fields combining argan, carob, acacia, and local food crops (alfalfa, vegetables, and fig trees). These plantings were selected to optimize water use, enhance soil fertility, and increase biodiversity. Organic composting units and drip irrigation systems were introduced to promote circular agricultural practices and reduce resource waste.

In parallel, a series of capacity-building and social inclusion activities were conducted. More than 50 participants, including rural women, youth, and smallholder farmers, received training on solar irrigation maintenance, agroforestry management, and cooperative organization. These soft interventions aimed to strengthen local ownership and ensure long-term sustainability of the initiative.

The implementation followed a progressive approach:

1. Installation of the solar-powered desalination and irrigation system.
2. Establishment of diversified agroforestry plots.
3. Introduction of soil restoration and composting practices.
4. Training and empowerment of local communities.

Together, these actions have laid the foundation for a replicable WEFE model that enhances resilience, restores degraded ecosystems, and supports inclusive rural livelihoods in Taroudant.

The Taroudant Nexus project has successfully demonstrated an integrated and scalable model linking water, energy, food, and ecosystem restoration in an arid region of southern Morocco. Through the installation of a solar-powered desalination pilot unit, the initiative provided a sustainable source of irrigation water for a 10-hectare agroforestry demonstration site. The system produced an average of 5,000 liters of desalinated water per day, enabling the reintroduction of diversified crops and the planting of over 500 argan, carob, and acacia trees in previously degraded soils.

In terms of energy efficiency, the photovoltaic system generated around 12 kWh/day, ensuring full autonomy of water production and irrigation without reliance on fossil fuels. This integration has reduced water stress, improved soil fertility through compost and organic amendments, and increased biodiversity in the restored plots.

Socially, the project created direct employment for 20 local youth and women, who were trained in solar irrigation, agroforestry techniques, and cooperative management. It has also strengthened social cohesion through participatory planning with local cooperatives and agricultural associations.

Institutionally, the project has inspired collaboration between Université Ibn Zohr, INRA, and local authorities, contributing to the regional dialogue on climate adaptation and sustainable water management. The approach has attracted interest for replication in other semi-arid provinces of Morocco, positioning Taroudant as a potential model site for WEFE integration and agroecological transition.

Lessons, Replicability and Scalability Potential:
The demonstrator revealed several key lessons in terms of sustainability, scalability, and replicability within the WEFE Nexus framework.

1. Sustainability and Integration:
One of the main lessons learned is that sustainability requires cross-sectoral coordination and community ownership. Integrating water reuse, solar energy, and agroecological practices proved technically feasible and environmentally beneficial, but its long-term success depends on institutional alignment between water, energy, and agricultural agencies. The active involvement of local cooperatives and women’s groups was crucial to ensuring both economic viability and environmental stewardship.

2. Capacity and Governance:
Building local technical and governance capacities is essential for sustaining the WEFE system beyond the pilot phase. The project showed that with adequate training and support, farmers can autonomously manage wastewater-based irrigation systems and renewable energy installations. Strengthening the role of local institutions (e.g., water user associations, ONCA advisory services) enhances accountability and maintenance of shared resources.

3. Replicability:
The approach is highly replicable in other arid and semi-arid regions of Morocco and the Mediterranean, where similar conditions of water scarcity and energy dependence prevail. The modular nature of the system (solar irrigation + treated wastewater + agroecology) allows flexible adaptation to local contexts. Replication is most feasible in areas where treated wastewater or decentralized treatment units can be integrated into small-scale farming systems.

4. Scalability Potential:
Scaling up requires strong policy support and financial mechanisms that incentivize the reuse of treated wastewater and the adoption of renewable energy in agriculture. The project demonstrated that public-private-community partnerships (PPCPs) can accelerate implementation and financing at larger scales. Collaboration with national agencies such as ADA, ANDZOA, and GIZ/Enabel programs could enable replication across oases and mountainous regions affected by climate stress.

5. Policy Implications and Transferability:
This demonstrator offers a practical model for operationalizing the WEFE Nexus at local level, bridging the gap between policy and practice. It highlights the need for integrated planning frameworks, inclusive governance, and investment in innovation to promote circular resource management. The lessons learned can inform national strategies for climate-resilient agriculture and inspire other Mediterranean countries to adopt nature-based, low-carbon, and socially inclusive WEFE solutions.