Participatory Planning for Improving Water Use Efficiency in River Basins

Due to its geographical location and to the natural features of its climate, the MENA region figures historically among the most water scarce areas of the world and water management issues have always represented significant challenges. However, the region now faces an increasing and alarming water scarcity due to the growing pressure on water resources induced by the economic development and demographic growth.

In this context, this research project aimed to develop first an innovative approach for robust decision making in uncertain conditions based on WEAP (Water Evaluation and Planning System) model. In fact, “XLRM” which is the robust decision making framework, supports the evaluation of management options and promotes long-term sustainable integrated water management strategies at the basin level. The second objective is to design and produce a manual of irrigation best practices which key output would be to identify a checklist of improved tools and practices. This helps to optimize on farm agricultural water use and maximize water use efficiency. In order to achieve those objectives, the project was implemented in pilot catchment systems in Jordan (Zeqlab basin), Morocco (Souss-Massa Basin) and Tunisia (Mejerda basin).

This study was carried out under the Further Advancing a Blue Revolution Initiative (FABRI).