--- title: "Optimized: Berry Irrigation in Morocco" description: A leading Moroccan berry grower cut water use by 16% using climate data and an evapotranspiration-based irrigation strategy. image: https://www.waybeyond.io/hubfs/Souheil-FarmRoad-sensor-low-res.png --- [![WayBeyond logo](https://20315204.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/20315204/WB%20Images/WayBeyond%20Logo%20(1).svg)](https://www.waybeyond.io?hsLang=en) - Solutions - [Agronomy Intelligence](https://www.waybeyond.io/solutions/agronomy-intelligence) - [Optimize irrigation](https://www.waybeyond.io/solutions/optimize-irrigation) - [Unify farm data](https://www.waybeyond.io/solutions/unify-farm-data) - [Monitor plant health](https://www.waybeyond.io/solutions/monitor-plant-health) - [Understand microclimates](https://www.waybeyond.io/solutions/understand-microclimates) - [Manage pests and diseases](https://www.waybeyond.io/solutions/manage-plant-diseases-and-pests) - [Steer crops](https://www.waybeyond.io/solutions/crop-steering) - [Maximize yield](https://www.waybeyond.io/solutions/maximize-crop-yield) - Products - [FarmRoad](https://www.waybeyond.io/farmroad-crop-management-software) - [GrowPilot](https://www.waybeyond.io/growpilot) - Crops - [Tomatoes](https://www.waybeyond.io/crops/tomato-production) - [Blueberries](https://www.waybeyond.io/crops/blueberry-production) - [Peppers](https://www.waybeyond.io/crops/pepper-production) - [Raspberries](https://www.waybeyond.io/crops/raspberry-production) - [Other crops](https://www.waybeyond.io/crops/high-value-crop-production) - Customers - [Enterprise growers](https://www.waybeyond.io/customers/fresh-produce-growers) - [Seed producers](https://www.waybeyond.io/customers/vegetable-seed-producers) - [Customer stories](https://www.waybeyond.io/customer-stories) - [Pricing](https://www.waybeyond.io/en/farmroad-pricing) - [Resources](https://www.waybeyond.io/resources) - About - [Company](https://www.waybeyond.io/about/company) - [Investors](https://www.waybeyond.io/about/investors) - [Contact](https://www.waybeyond.io/contact-us) - [Newsroom](https://www.waybeyond.io/news) - [Login](https://app.farmroad.io/#/auth/:login) - ![](https://www.waybeyond.io/hubfs/WB%20Images/user.png) [login](https://app.farmroad.io) - ![](https://20315204.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/20315204/WB%20Images/Group%20(10).svg) SEARCH - ![](https://20315204.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/20315204/WB%20Images/Group%20(10).svg) ![](https://www.waybeyond.io/hubfs/Close_icon%20(3).svg) 07.09.2025 | 3 min read # Optimized: Berry Irrigation in Morocco - ![soc1](https://www.waybeyond.io/hs-fs/hubfs/WB%20Images/soc1.png?width=46&height=47&name=soc1.png) - ![soc2](https://www.waybeyond.io/hs-fs/hubfs/WB%20Images/soc2.png?width=46&height=47&name=soc2.png) - ![soc3](https://www.waybeyond.io/hs-fs/hubfs/WB%20Images/soc3.png?width=46&height=47&name=soc3.png) - ![soc4](https://www.waybeyond.io/hs-fs/hubfs/WB%20Images/soc4.png?width=46&height=47&name=soc4.png) - ![soc5](https://www.waybeyond.io/hs-fs/hubfs/WB%20Images/soc5.png?width=46&height=47&name=soc5.png) ![Souheil Rahoui adjusting FarmRoad climate sensor installed in a polytunnel commercial farm in Morocco](https://www.waybeyond.io/hs-fs/hubfs/Souheil-FarmRoad-sensor-low-res.png?width=1062&height=611&name=Souheil-FarmRoad-sensor-low-res.png "Souheil Rahoui adjusting FarmRoad climate sensor installed in a polytunnel commercial farm in Morocco") ## Climate Data and ETo-Based Irrigation Strategy Cut Water Use by 16% In our third Optimized series, we look at how a Moroccan berry grower used FarmRoad to cut water use by 16 percent without losing fruit quality. Last month, we showed how [ETo forecasting](https://www.waybeyond.io/resources?hsLang=en) helped tomato growers improve irrigation planning. This new study builds on that work, testing proactive irrigation strategies in berry greenhouses where water is both scarce and costly. ### The Challenge Water is scarce and expensive in Morocco. After six consecutive years of severe drought, dam levels nationwide are critically low. Reuters reported that rainfall was 53% lower this year compared with the 30-year average, and by early 2025 reservoir filling rates had dropped to just 26%, with key agricultural regions like Souss-Massa at only 15% capacity. As a result, growers are increasingly reliant on desalinated water, which costs around $0.56 per cubic meter — more than five times the price of conventional supply. To cope, Morocco is [accelerating investments](https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/boards-policy-regulation/morocco-invests-desalination-waterways-mitigate-drought-2025-06-13/) in desalination plants, water transfer projects and new dams to meet rising demand from agriculture and cities. ### The Goal This research with a leading Moroccan berry grower aimed to: - Improve precision of irrigation for berries grown on substrate - Develop a proactive irrigation strategy that adjusts based on predicted climate parameters - Track impacts on plant growth, fruit quality and yield - Compare water and nutrient efficiency with standard practices ### The Method Two greenhouses were monitored over five weeks: - Greenhouse 10 (FarmRoad strategy): Irrigation events were informed by FarmRoad’s climate and root zone sensors, along with ETo, VPD and radiation forecasts. Drip and drain data was collected daily via the FarmRoad app. - Greenhouse 11 (Traditional strategy): The grower’s usual approach was maintained for comparison. Measurements included water and fertilizer consumption, EC, fruit size, firmness, pH, brix, acidity, dry matter and water content. ### The Results - **Water savings:** 15.8% average reduction (the range of savings was 8.6% to 27.3%) - **Cost impact:** US $225/ha saved in 5 weeks — equivalent to $2,167 per hectare annually (based on an 11-month cycle) - **Fruit quality:** Maintained across the trial with slight improvement in fruit firmness - **Nutrient solution:** More stable EC and drainage, reducing risk of salt build-up and supporting long-term root health #### Grower Tip 💡 Consider integrating climate forecasts like ETo, VPD and radiation into your irrigation scheduling. Even small shifts from reactive to proactive management can deliver measurable savings. ### Why It Matters For growers using irrigation systems to manage fertigation, water efficiency is a direct path to lowering input costs. Even small percentage gains compound into thousands of dollars saved per hectare. Importantly, this can be achieved without compromising fruit quality or yield. ### WayBeyond Recommendations This trial extends earlier research with a Mexican tomato grower, where FarmRoad-based irrigation strategies [achieved a 14–16% water saving](https://www.waybeyond.io/resources/optimized-irrigation?hsLang=en). Despite different crops, climates and research timeframes, the outcome in Morocco was remarkably similar: consistent reductions in water and fertilizer use while maintaining crop quality. The evidence is clear: with FarmRoad, growers can make proactive, data-driven irrigation decisions that cut costs and safeguard long-term crop health. **Read more about how FarmRoad can help you with smart irrigation [here](https://www.waybeyond.io/fr/solutions/optimize-irrigation?hsLang=en). ** ***Acknowledgment*** *This research was authored by Anas El Majdoub, a Student at the National School of Agriculture of Meknes. The project was supported by WayBeyond and Hortisud. 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