The Dynamics of Irrigated Agriculture Using Geographic Information Systems and Google Earth in the Tafrata Plain (Northeast Morocco)

Abstract

Irrigation plays a fundamental role in sustaining agricultural production in arid and semi-arid regions where rainfall remains insufficient and irregular. This study aims to analyse the spatial and temporal dynamics of irrigated areas over the last three decades. The methodological approach is based on the use of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) derived from satellite imagery for the years 1992, 2012, and 2022, combined with Google Earth images, and supported by field verification to ensure the accuracy of the results. The analysis reveals a significant expansion of irrigated agricultural areas in the plain. Irrigated land increased by approximately 2,282 hectares, with an average annual expansion rate of about 394 hectares. Between 2012 and 2022, irrigated agricultural areas reached 10,977 hectares, reflecting a marked acceleration in agricultural development during the last decade. The results also indicate a notable increase in fruit tree plantations between 2006 and 2023, Between 2006 and 2023, the number of agricultural holdings dedicated to fruit trees increased from 4,765 to 5,578, representing a growth of about 17.1%. Olive-related exploitations accounted for more than 95% of the total. Spatial analysis highlights a clear concentration of irrigated farms near surface water resources, groundwater reserves, and fertile soils. These dynamics reflect profound socio-spatial transformations driven largely by recurrent drought conditions, leading to a transition from traditional pastoral systems toward modern irrigated agriculture, this transformation has also intensified pressure on groundwater resources, particularly through the increasing drilling of wells, raising important challenges for sustainable water management and regional agricultural sustainability.