Water is essential for food security and livelihood, especially for the millions of rural poor who rely on agriculture. Aghbalou combines a local story of struggle with a global call to action against the growing challenge of sustaining water supplies in the face of an increasingly hostile climate.
Half of Morocco’s population is employed in agriculture and therefore dependent upon groundwater for both food and employment. The Todgha Valley in Southern Morocco is one of the driest habitats on earth. Yet, residents have successfully sustained their livelihoods and agriculture for centuries through an ancient system of underground channels. But today these age-old communities face new threats and challenges from groundwater over-extraction, population growth, and climate change, among others.
The film also shows how new technologies can present unintended problems for the rural poor. When motorized water pumps were introduced to the region, they provided more water, but affected the balance of aquifers and eventually water wasn’t as easy to reach as it once had been, plus the cost was too high for poorer farmers.
Featuring local farmers from the Todgha Valley and international experts, Aghbalou presents potential strategies to adapt to growing water scarcity and insure a secure future for the rural poor.
Best of 2016, Science Books and Films
"This striking film explores an issue that rarely gets attention: the unique challenges that farmers face in the world's most arid regions. In a world where water challenges are deepening, it's important to tell the stories, as this film does, of these resilient farmers and the admirable adaptations they have made to their harsh surroundings."
— Emma Bryce, World on a Plate, The Guardian
"Editor's Choice. Highly Recommended. A useful teaching and learning tool. In addition to the local challenges, it emphasizes the broad concepts of water scarcity, and the fundamental reliance that human life and civilization have on adequate water supply."
— Science Books and Films (AAAS)
"Recommended. The filmmakers foster a necessary conversation related to the water and food insecurity in rural communities and deterioration of water quality. They also accentuate attention to the national and international strategies for reducing water demand, increasing water supplies, and improving domestic and virtual water trade balance….”
— Educational Media Reviews Online
"An incisive and informative new source on traditional water resources management, beautifully crafted and deeply steeped in long history and local culture."
— Dr. Hassan Hakimian, Director, London Middle East Institute
"An excellent documentary providing both expert perspectives and equally important insider insights pertaining to the ecological water-related issues facing Morocco."
— Adel Hamaizia. Vice Chairman, The Oxford Gulf and Arabian Peninsula Studies Forum, University of Oxford
"Of interest to viewers concerned about the environment and local water security in developing nations."
— Library Journal
"A remarkable contribution to raise awareness of water resources. As the film pointed out, whatever we do, we must have water and our needs increase all the time. This extraordinary and remarkable film should be shown in schools and universities across the world to ensure that the next generation are aware of the issues and won’t take this resource for granted as we have in the past."
— Mohamed Ben-Madani, Editor, The Maghreb Review
"A wonderfully thought-provoking and beautifully-made film about water and about the multiple connections between water and society...This film is about 'science wars' in agricultural water management...The film shows the 'wheels within wheels' of irrigation systems."
— Professor Bruce Lankford, UK Irrigation Association
"Visually compelling… highlights how communities in very water scarce regions such as Morocco have cleverly, and with immense hard work, made sure they had access to water."
— Prof Tony Allan, Stockholm Water Prize Laureate; King’s College London
"The film proves that technological development does not always lead to an improvement in the quality of life... because alternative solutions are often beyond the reach of those who need them the most.”
— AfryKamera Festival
"This documentary is an excellent support for a reflection on the problem of water scarcity and the need to rethink the modes of consumption and distribution."
— Jean-François Simon, Sociologist, Haute Ecole Paul Henri Spaak
