**2.4 Agriculture**

Urban population growth, increasing temperatures and changing rainfall patterns are among the main factors affecting agriculture production. World population is expected to reach 9.7 billion in 2050 and the global agriculture production has to be increased to meet the increased food demand for this population. As well, human population growth and climate Change have multiple implications on development which shift towards more freshwater withdrawals for agriculture. Similarly, in the Maghreb, continuously growing population will be demanding for more food, more land used for crops and thus more water.

Algeria is facing really scary water shortages because its annual water supply per person is marked less than 1000 m3 per year. Agriculture in Algeria composes 25% of Algeria's economy. It is a major user of water and is most concerned by the water scarcity. Increased population pressure, economic development, urbanization trends and drought periods are also behind more limited water reserves in Algeria, even in areas where currently rainfall is sufficient.

Morocco—Agriculture in Morocco composes around 15% of Morocco's economy. It accounts for almost 80% of Morocco's water annually [22]. Morocco is facing water scarcity which it is caused by the increase of water demands mainly linked the population growth and climate change. This water risk will likely be more in the near future. According to the World Resources Institute (WRI), Morocco ranked 23rd among countries most at-risk of water shortage. In fact, Innovative irrigation practices can enhance water efficiency. However, they will be too expensive for the average small farmer to afford.

Tunisia is considered as a driest country in the Maghreb region as it has very limited water reserves. It is among the countries which suffers from high water scarcity. Like in Morocco, the agriculture in Tunisia consumes 80% of natural water resources: around 76.9% of the water used for agriculture comes from groundwater and 23.1% comes from surface water [23]. Urban population growth and climate change have combined effect towards a crippling water stress in Tunisia by consuming more water, especially in irrigation sector and this led the depletion rate of Tunisian groundwater resources and also to its vulnerability.

Libya—Like Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia, Libya suffers also from high water scarcity as it has very limited surface water (no permanent River) which composes less than 3% of the total water demands. However, groundwater (both shallow and fossil aquifers), constitute the principal water supply in Libya [24] and it accounts approximately 98% of the total water demands [25]. In 2012, the sector of agriculture used around 85% of the water requirements [26]. In addition, in last over 40 years, the irrigated area has increased and has stressed more water availability due to the lack of rain (droughts) and increased water consumption for irrigation and industries [27].

Mauritania—Agricultural production in Mauritania is primarily subsistence-based and rainfed. Agriculture is thus very localized in the eastern and south-eastern parts of the country, and along the Senegal River. Half the population still depends on farming and raising livestock. Agriculture includes forestry, hunting, and fishing, as well as the cultivation of crops (cereals, most importantly sorghum, in addition to rice, maize, cow peas and millet) and livestock production. Smallholder farmers in Mauritania are increasingly challenged by the uncertainty and variability of weather caused by climate change; recurrent droughts in the 1970s, 1980s and 2000s.
