Desalination of Sea Water: Major Development Projects Strengthening Dakhla’s Position as a Sustainable Economic Hub
The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forests, Ahmed Bouari, confirmed that the seawater desalination station in Dakhla represents a key project that combines technological innovation, environmental sustainability, and social inclusion. This is part of the Kingdom’s efforts to establish a sustainable and integrated agriculture in the southern regions.
During a field visit to the Dakhla – Oued Ed Dahab region alongside the Secretary of State for Fisheries, Zakia Driouch, Bouari stated that the station, which operates 100% on wind energy, will help preserve groundwater and foster the emergence of an integrated agricultural hub contributing to regional and national development. He noted that the project falls within the scope of the new development model for the southern regions, launched by His Majesty King Mohammed VI.
The minister highlighted that the project would create 25,000 permanent jobs and contribute to ensuring both water and food security in the region. It involves the production of 37 million cubic meters of water annually, with 30 million for irrigation and 7 million for drinking water, alongside an investment of 2.6 billion dirhams and the establishment of a 60-megawatt wind farm. Additionally, it will equip 219 agricultural farms, including 100 for youth in the region.
The delegation also inspected the wholesale and retail markets for fruits and vegetables, which aim to modernize marketing channels and enhance health safety standards, with construction progress at the wholesale market reaching 90%. The minister visited an industrial unit for processing seafood, which has a production capacity of 140 tons daily and an investment exceeding 127 million dirhams, and which is expected to create 500 direct and indirect jobs.
Zakia Driouch confirmed that Dakhla has become a national hub for the valorization of marine products, utilizing by-products in a circular economy framework to produce fish oil and flour. A project was also presented for building six industrial units for processing small pelagic fish, with a total investment of 1.16 billion dirhams, which is expected to create 4,378 jobs.
The minister held a meeting at the headquarters of the Atlantic Southern Fisheries Chamber with sector professionals, during which a program was launched to distribute relief transmission devices to locate traditional fishing boats, covering 6,183 boats, including 3,207 in Dakhla, with a budget of 20.6 million dirhams aimed at enhancing maritime safety.
This visit underscored the tangible progress of ongoing development projects in the region, fully aligned with royal directives to transform the southern provinces into a competitive and integrated development hub at the national and continental levels.
