Mohamed Khatouri, PhD and Douglas Baker. Chemonics International, 1133 20th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036, 202-955-3300, dbaker@chemonics.com

Serving 30,000 farmers, the Tadla irrigation perimeter in Morocco supports citrus, olive, sugar beets, wheat, and vegetable production. Area farmers used heavy applications of nitrogen fertilizers to increase output, causing excess nitrates to leach into groundwater and exposing households to the potentially toxic effects of nitrate. The Tadla Resources Management project sought to monitor nitrate levels and help farmers reduce use of nitrogen fertilizers. Data from 100 geo-referenced wells measuring chemical quality and data from 47 farms to analyze agro-chemical use were used. The project developed a network of monitoring points to track nitrate and salinity levels in groundwater. Using a geographic information system to produce spatial analyses of water pollution, analysts could identify water pollution sources as well as pinpoint zones most at risk. Simultaneously, the project conducted field trials to develop recommendations for reduced use of nitrogen fertilizers and then disseminated these recommendations to farmers. New fertilizer management techniques disseminated throughout the area reduced nitrogen use by 981 tons, 54.5 percent of the baseline value of the area’s total excess nitrogen. (Of note, farm yields actually increased while the cost of inputs declined, so that reduced nitrogen fertilizer use was economically beneficial as well as environmentally sound.) Programs for improved nitrogen fertilizer management techniques can significantly reduce the health threat from nitrates in the groundwater. The positive impact on farm incomes helps motivate farmer participation. Careful monitoring of water quality can pinpoint sources of pollutants and high risk zones, allowing for targeted interventions with farmers and families.

Learning Objectives:

• Audience members will learn how to reduce the threat of nitrates in water from revised fertilizer practices and how GIS helped focus activities for greatest impact.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.