The four misses of agricultural water husbandry in the Maghreb

Abstract Recurrent droughts plaguing the Maghreb geography have impacted dramatically on the yet scarce renewable water resources. This situation intensified tensions between water users, namely urban, industrial and agricultural sectors. At this point, agricultural water management in large‐scale irrigated schemes is under scrutiny since more than two‐thirds of the Maghreb mobilized water resources are used for agricultural purposes. However, this sector's performance is undermined by mismanagement, misuse, mispricing and misgovernance of agricultural water. From low irrigation water transport efficiencies, low water use efficiency at field level and low valuation of irrigation water by farmers, to nonreasoned pricing policies and lack of good governance, agricultural water husbandry is suffering a number of setbacks. This situation endangers the sustainable development of large‐scale irrigation schemes and could deprive Maghreb countries of the contribution of irrigated agriculture to countries' GDP and food security. These constraints were thoroughly analyzed, and a set of remedies was discussed that included restoration of water transport canals and water distribution networks, improvement of cropping systems, crop water use efficiency, extension services, reasoned subsidies and irrigation water pricing. Only by redirecting water husbandry in the large‐scale irrigation schemes, Maghreb countries can achieve sustainable development.