Future perspectives of irrigation in the Southern Mediterranean region: Policies and management issues

Water scarcity is imposing severe constraints on sustainable irrigation in the Southern Mediterranean region. The situation has been exacerbated by population growth and poor water management. The problems of water scarcity are discussed in terms of water movement and cyclicity within local water basins. It is concluded that most water basins in the region are approaching a “closed system” state. The Jefara water basin in Libya is introduced as an illustrative example. Irrigated agriculture can be sustained only through reopening the water basins to further water supplies. The Libyan experience with its Man-made River Project provides a good example for water transfer in the region. Other possible measures include macro-economic manipulations and sociopolitical reorientations that are conducive to sustainable development.