As part of its activities within the International Commission of Irrigation and Drainage (ICID), ANAFIDE, Moroccan National Committee of ICID, organizes, with the support of the Directorate of Irrigation and Agricultural Space Planning (DIAEA), and in partnership with ICID, the 10th InternationalMicro-Irrigation Conference from January 25 to 27, 2023 in Dakhla on the topic « Micro-irrigation in the Era of Technology Innovation and Digital Transformation’. This choice aims to create an opportunity to make use of the many new technologies and innovative digital approaches developed to date around the world in the field of micro-irrigation and to share them within the various components of the international community interested in this subject. Producing more with less water while respecting the environment remains a challenge for several countries in their efforts to deal with the effects of climate change and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. The choice of Morocco by ICID to host this major international event bears witness to the consideration accorded by the international community to Morocco’s experience and quality of its achievements in the field of hydro-agricultural and micro-irrigation projects, as well as interest in sharing these achievements through South-South cooperation. ANAFIDE, founded in 1970, is among the most active National Committees of ICID. Since the 13th International Congress of ICID held in Casablanca in September 1987 under the High Patronage of His Majesty Hassan II May His Soul Rest in Peace until the 5th African Regional Conference of ICID, recently organized in Marrakech in November 2021, under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, May God assist Him, ANAFIDE has constantly contributed to the activities of ICID by addressing topics of interest to Morocco and in tune with its national and international partners in the public sectors, private and academic. The International meeting planned in Dakhla by addressing the progress made in the efficient use of agricultural water is part of the implementation of the national water plan drawn up in accordance with the high royal directives. Many projects have been carried out or are in the process of being carried out by Morocco, particularly within the framework of the completed « Green Morocco Plan » or the « Green Generation Strategy », in progress to acquire a sustainable, prosperous and more resilient agriculture in the face of water scarcity and the effects of climate change. The investments undertaken while providing appropriate support to the various components of the spectrum of agricultural holds in Morocco aim for a rational and integrated management of irrigation water as well as water saving and its valorization. They also continue to mobilize both conventional and unconventional water resources for irrigation, favoring the use of renewable energies and relying more and more on the innovative PPP arrangement in which Morocco is a pioneer in irrigation while leveraging the strengths of technological innovation and precision agriculture. Thanks to the efforts made in this field, it is expected that the total area of land equipped with micro-irrigation systems will reach 1.5 million hectares in 2030 in Morocco. In addition, the area of Dakhla city, venue of the said conference will be soon have an irrigated scheme of 5,000 ha equipped with micro-irrigation served by a seawater desalination plant powered by wind energy. It is with great pleasure that I invite you to participate in the 10th International Micro-irrigation Conference and in the exhibition of advanced equipment and innovative systems in micro-irrigation that the city of Dakhla will host in January 2023. You will have the opportunity to exchange and share experience and new developments in advanced micro-irrigation systems with participants from several regions of the world. I am convinced that you will appreciate the wonders of the site and the leisure offered by the city of Dakhla, considered a pearl of southern Morocco. A very attractive program of visits and activities will be organized for accompanying persons. I look forward to meeting you in Dakhla
Aziz FERTAHI
President of ANAFIDE
Vice President of ICID