Water security is a hot topic all over the world, due to global warming, climate change, natural calamities such as droughts and floods, overuse of water, and other factors. Water issues have been scientifically investigated from several perspectives, namely institutional, economic, social, environmental, managerial, and technological. However, the technological aspects of irrigation and water supply for smallholder farmers in the Mediterranean region have not been adequately addressed. This paper explores irrigation and water supply technologies for smallholder farmers in the selected Mediterranean countries (Egypt, Malta, Morocco, and Portugal). The methods of analysis are literature review, fieldwork, and observation. The literature survey reveals that Mediterranean countries share many common features in terms of climate, water and land resources, and development issues. Nevertheless, the selected countries in the Mediterranean region (Egypt, Malta, Morocco, and Portugal) differ in terms of type of crops, water management regulations, labor force availability, financial sustainability, and economic approaches. These remarks signal the need for applying a specific approach in selecting a technology for irrigation and water supply according to the regional context. Additionally, the financial and economic perspectives of the three key technologies (i.e., SLECI, desalination technology, and engineering constructed wetlands) require further analysis.

Résumé Le myrte commun est une plante médicinale et aromatique de grande importance. Au Maroc, ses usages sont très peu diversifiés et valorisés. Il est exploité à l’état naturel, spontané pour l’extraction des huiles essentielles des feuilles. Pour la gestion durable de cette espèce, il est nécessaire de définir une vision précise des potentialités d’usage du myrte et des perspectives d’accroissement de la ressource. La présente étude est une synthèse analytique sur les perspectives de la valorisation de l’usage et de la culture de myrte au Maroc. Cette étude montre la nécessité de valoriser davantage cette espèce en produits destinés non seulement aux industries cosmétiques, phytothérapiques, pharmaceutiques, de parfumerie mais aussi à l’agroalimentaire. L’intensification de la production par une culture sélective est prometteuse pour augmenter le rendement des produits d’intérêt économique et assurer la conservation des ressources génétiques naturelles de l’espèce.

Purpose and aim of the study: The paper aim is to analyse scientific and other relevant literature on the sustainable development of the irrigated agricultural sector in Morocco.Design / Methodology / Approach: The method of data collection is literature review. Literature review was chosen as it is the basis for further research. The obtained data is presented in accordance with the identified historical periods. A summary of results is delivered.Main Findings: In light of scarce water resources, the technical, legal and institutional levels in the agricultural sector are permanently updated by the public authorities in order to mitigate the impact of climate change and adapt the management of water resources.Originality: Sustainability is regarded as gradual and sequential growth and development. Sustainability means the consideration of all the stakeholders’ interests in the decision-making process.Implications: Concerted efforts of the public authorities, companies and other stakeholders in the improvement of the efficiency of water use in agriculture through the development of localized irrigation technology and modernization of collective or private water supply networks in large irrigated areas would be beneficial for all. Innovative irrigation systems that allow the exploitation of unconventional, largely unused water resources must be developed. Low cost solutions with natural and locally available materials (Low Technology, Low Energy, Low cost, Easy to Use) should be used.

In a context of increasing pressure on water resources and severe aridity; expansion in the reuse of naturally treated wastewater can be a viable and low-cost solution particularly for irrigation forests, green non-fruit trees, fabric crops, industrial oils, and non-edible raw crops. Wastewater treatment is increasingly recognized as a potential means in El-Wahat El-Bahariya in Egypt. However, investment decisions concerning the reuse of treated wastewater in irrigation needs to be justified in terms of financial and economic feasibility and profitability. Therefore, this research study aims to conduct a cost–benefit analysis (CBA) of an investment project “reuse treated wastewater in irrigation compared to other modes of water irrigation projects. The CBA results revealed that the cost of the initial investment for the production of treated water used for irrigating green non-fruit trees, Bamboo trees, and Cactus in Sekem El-Wahat, is economically efficient with 88% compared to the exploitation of aquifer groundwater for irrigating the same crops. That project allows for an economic gain of about 4,428.5 €/ha compared to the cost of producing aquifer ground water in Sekem Farm El-Wahat is estimated at 10,800 €/year. Substituting the use of aquifer ground water for irrigating crops with reuse of treated wastewater helps reducing energy consumption and offers great financial benefits to the beneficial communities. A net benefit of the reuse of treated wastewater project is largely positive with NPV equivalent to 4599 €/year with a medium economic efficiency (BCR) of about 0.44.

Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels is a unique endemic species in Morocco, renowned for its ecological characteristics and socio-economic importance. In Morocco, recent years have seen an exacerbation of the harmful effects of climate change, leading to an alarming decline in the natural regeneration of this species in its original habitats. It seems that the only viable solution lies in the domestication of this genetic heritage. This study marks the first in-depth investigation of the impact of various climatic and edaphic factors on the morphological and physiological traits of Argania spinosa young plants, assessed in six separate orchards and observed over four seasons (March 2022 (Winter), June 2022 (Summer), November 2022 (Autumn), and March 2023 (Winter)). A climatic assessment was carried out at each site, including measurements of rainfall, maximum and minimum temperatures, mean temperature, air temperature, and wind speed. The soil was analyzed for the pH, electrical conductivity (EC), water content, limestone (CaCO₃), Kjeldahl nitrogen (N), available phosphorus (P₂O₅), organic matter (OM), and carbon/nitrogen ratio (C/N). To gain a better understanding of the morphophysiological characteristics of young argan seedlings, we carried out various observations, such as measuring the height and diameter of aerial parts, and the water content of leaves (WCL) and branches (WCB), quantifying chlorophyll (mg/m²) and leaf area. The results revealed a significant impact of edaphic and climatic factors on the morphophysiological parameters of young argan trees. Results revealed significant correlations of young argan plants between edaphic and climatic factors and morphophysiological parameters. The Tamjloujt site, characterized by protective vegetation cover, showed optimal growth conditions with the highest leaf and branch water content (46.89 ± 4.06% and 37.76 ± 3.51%, respectively), maximum height growth (91.33 ± 28.68 mm), trunk diameter (24.85 ± 3.78 mm), and leaf surface area (69.33 ± 19.28 mm²) during Summer 2022. The Saharan zone of Laqsabi exhibited peak chlorophyll concentrations (506.9 ± 92.25 mg/m²) during Autumn 2022, due to high temperatures. The mountainous environment of Imoulass negatively impacted plant growth (mean height: 52.61 ± 12.37 mm; diameter: 6.46 ± 1.57 mm) due to harsh climatic and edaphic conditions. This research provides vital knowledge regarding the environmental factors influencing the establishment of young argan plants within the Argan Biosphere Reserve. This contributes to the development of more effective domestication strategies and the restoration of agroecosystems. The aim is to use this knowledge to promote the rehabilitation and sustainability of argan agroecosystems.