**Abstract**

In arid countries like Tunisia, the need to find new sources of water for irrigation has become imminent. Desalination of seawater can be an alternative to irrigation. Water desalination is a process that makes it possible to obtain freshwater (drinking water or, more rarely, due to the cost, usable for irrigation) from brackish or saltwater (seawater in particular). In this article, we take a look at the leading food companies specializing in desalination of irrigation around the world and the prospects for the solar energy desalination potential for irrigation in Tunisia. We have noticed that several companies invest money to desalinate water for agricultural purposes. However, the cost of a cubic meter of water sometimes remains high to go forward with this new technology.

**Keywords:** irrigation, renewable energy, solar desalination, water cost
