ORMVAH was created in 1966 to manage the Haouz plain (Morocco), a 6000 km2 irrigated area around the city of Marrakech. This public establishment has an administrative and financial independence under the control of the Ministry of Agriculture. ORMVAH has three missions. First of all, it conducts constructions, maintenance and management of irrigation equipment and agricultural projects. ORMVAH promotes also improved cultural techniques and animal production. The last task consists to assist farmers and staffs and to develop training.

In addition, ORMVAH manages with other regional institutions available water from local or external dams and from shallow water-table used as complementary water resources. The different programs are relayed by 31 sub-centres and research stations. ORMVAH aims to optimise water using with combination of new irrigation practices and adapted cultural production.