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Barriers to the Adoption of Water Conservation and Saving Technologies (WCST) by Small Farmers: The Case of the Oum Er -Rabia Hydraulic Basin

IWRA World Water Congress 2025 Marrakech Morocco
Water for Sustainable Development
Author(s): OUDDICH Mustapha
OUDDICH Mustapha
LAREMO – ENCG BENI MELLAL - Sultan Moualy Slimane University
03 December 2025

Oral: PDF

Abstract

General context

• Morocco is facing a prolonged drought and increasing water stress.

• The agricultural sector consumes about 89% of the available water resources.

• Public policies have encouraged the use of drip irrigation to save water.

• Given the limitations of drip irrigation, intelligent irrigation systems are becoming essential.

• The adoption of these technologies remains low, often limited to pilot projects.

• Understanding the factors that influence adoption is essential for improving agricultural sustainability in the Oum Er-Rabia Hydraulic Basin.

Problem statement

Although smart irrigation systems enable efficient and water-saving management through data analysis, their adoption remains limited and does not go beyond the stage of pilot projects. This raises the question of the barriers and drivers that influence their diffusion.

Methodological approach

• The study follows a sequential exploratory design (literature review → qualitative phase → quantitative phase).

• Initial steps completed : literature review and development of a conceptual model.

• Current stage: qualitative phase focused on refining and prioritizing adoption factors for water-smart irrigation technologies .

• 30 semi-structured interviews conducted with diverse agricultural actors.

• Data collection is ongoing and will continue until thematic saturation is reached. • Qualitative findings will be used to develop the quantitative instrument for the next phase of the research.