Warning against over-drawing reserves; studies cover the Nubian Sandstone Aquifer and the Al-Jafara basin
Libya – The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) representative for the Near East and North Africa, Abdelhakim Al-Waaer, has warned that Libya’s groundwater resources face growing pressure as the agricultural sector leans on them more heavily because of falling and irregular rainfall.
A short-term fix that threatens farming later
According to a report published by Egypt’s English-language Daily News Egypt and followed and translated by Al-Marsad, Al-Waaer said groundwater may help offset rainfall shortages in the short term, while warning that overusing it could threaten agricultural production over time.
He added that the challenge is growing sharper as rainfall patterns become harder to predict.
Studies of two aquifers
Al-Waaer said studies covering the Nubian Sandstone Aquifer in southern Libya have been completed, and that work has also focused on the Al-Jafara groundwater basin spanning Libya, Algeria and Tunisia.
He stressed that sustainable water management will be critical to preserving agricultural production in Libya amid climate change.
Cooperation on shared aquifers
He noted that improving groundwater management and cooperation on shared aquifers will become increasingly important as Libya faces mounting water stress and seeks to keep agricultural production sustainable.
