For centuries, traditional irrigation methods such as khettaras have sustained life in the Moroccan oasis. However, in recent years, these methods have become less effective and reliable due to water scarcity and climate change. This poses a pressing problem for oasis farmers who rely on these methods to sustain their livelihoods and preserve their cultural heritage.

In response to this challenge, I developed a web application to optimize irrigation and make the most of every drop of water. This article will explore the background of the issue, the solution I created, and the potential impact it can have on the oasis farming community, Lets dive in!.

The Problematic: "The Uncertain Future of Oasis Farming in Morocco: Water Scarcity and the Decline of Traditional Irrigation Methods".

The scarcity of water resources and unpredictable weather patterns have led to a decline in the effectiveness of traditional irrigation methods such as khettaras. Farmers who rely on these methods are faced with uncertainty about their future, as they struggle to maintain their crops and livelihoods with limited water resources.

Additionally, the construction of dams and the diversion of water for other purposes have also reduced the amount of water available for irrigation. This leaves farmers with fewer options to water their crops.

The Solution: "Making the Most of Limited Irrigation Hours".

To address this issue, I developed a web application that provides a schedule (with map visualization) for the community of farmers in the oasis, making it easy for them to use the few available irrigation hours. By organizing irrigation and providing an efficient water usage plan, the app preserves the precious water resource and ensures the continuation of agriculture in these zones.

The app is especially helpful for farmers who have dug deeper water holes equipped with solar panels for water pumping, as it allows them to make the most of the limited daytime hours to pump water.

The app contains a home section, a guide section that explains the steps to follow to use the web app, and a playground that contains a form, a map for visualization, and a table for the submitted form data. Using the app, farmers can easily schedule their irrigation times, select connection points to open, and visualize their parcels' water network.

I utilized React.js and Leaflet.js, popular JavaScript libraries, to create an efficient and user-friendly platform.

 

 

Additional Features:

While the current version (demo) of the web app provides a scheduling feature, I am working on additional features to make it more efficient. One of the features is an alert system that notifies farmers of any issues with the water supply. Another feature is a water usage analytics system that provides farmers with information on their water usage efficiency.

Conclusion:

Developing this web app was a challenging but rewarding experience. It allowed me to contribute to addressing a critical issue and gave me the opportunity to learn and improve my web development and web mapping skills. The web app has the potential to benefit farmers in the Moroccan oasis and serve as an example of how technology can help solve real-world problems.

If you are interested in learning more about the web app or would like to get involved in the project, please don't hesitate to contact me. Together, we can work towards preserving traditional irrigation methods and ensuring the sustainability of oasis farming in Morocco.

Link to the demo : Irrigation Manager