Crop and irrigation types ground-truth dataset for Moroccan agricultural regions

Accurate information on crop types and irrigation systems is a fundamental input for improving our understanding of land-atmosphere interactions and monitoring agricultural dynamics in semi-arid environments. This paper presents a comprehensive, open-access ground-truth dataset of 10000 geolocated agricultural parcels collected across the five major agricultural regions of Morocco, El Gharb, Tadla, Doukkala, El Haouz, and Souss, between December 2023 and January 2025. The dataset encompasses 45 distinct crop types, including main seasonal crops such as wheat, corn, and alfalfa, as well as perennial crops including olives, citrus, and argan. In addition, six different irrigation systems were observed, from the traditional flood irrigation to advanced pivot systems, reflecting the diversity of Moroccan agro-ecosystems. Field data were collected using the GIS-based mobile application QField, ensuring high positional accuracy and detailed attribute information for each parcel. To evaluate dataset consistency, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) values were analyzed for all surveyed plots throughout 2024, revealing coherent seasonal dynamics in agricultural activity. Each record is accompanied by a geo-referenced photograph, providing an additional visual reference for validation and contextual understanding. The freely available dataset offers a high-quality reference for calibrating and validating Earth Observation (EO)-based crop type and irrigation mapping products. By representing the diversity of cropping systems and irrigation practices across Morocco's climatic zones, this dataset provides a valuable foundation for advancing EO-driven agricultural monitoring, supporting policy assessment, and promoting sustainable land and water management in Morocco and the wider North African region.