Drought endangers crops: 119 days without rain

An unusually warm winter and spring put crops at risk in many Spanish towns. And it is that the drought is a reality and there are already communities that have not seen a drop of water for 119 days.

The drought is seriously affecting agricultural production, because the plantations do not receive the amount of water necessary to grow and develop. This is causing significant economic losses for farmers and, consequently, increasing food prices, as is happening with the rise in food feed.

It is important to take measures to reduce the impacts of drought, such as proper water management and the promotion of sustainable agricultural practices that reduce water consumption.

This year, “In April, there are NO thousand waters”

The State Meteorological Agency in its climate balance for the month of March 2023, revealed that the month was very hot and very dry in the whole of Spain, being the second warmest March of the 21st century and the third since the beginning of the historical series in 1961.

In the most affected areas, such as Malaga, it is estimated that more than 50% of the dryland winter arable crop harvest is lost. Spring sowing is canceled due to the dryness of the land and the high temperatures of recent weeks.

5 measures to fight drought

There are several measures that can be taken to combat drought and minimize its effects. Some of the main measures are:

1. Water management: It is important to properly manage water and promote its efficient use. Measures such as the reuse of wastewater, the optimization of reservoir management and the promotion of drip irrigation can be implemented.
2. Territorial planning and ordering: It is essential to plan and order the territory to guarantee an adequate use of water resources. This implies, for example, establishing protection zones for aquifers and promoting sustainable agricultural and urban practices.
3. Education and awareness: The population must be made aware of the importance of water and promote its responsible use. Awareness campaigns can be implemented to promote water saving in homes and businesses, and environmental education can be promoted in schools.
4. Technology and infrastructure development: The implementation of new technologies and infrastructure development can contribute to efficient water management. For example, rainwater harvesting systems or wastewater treatment systems can be installed for reuse.
5. Research and development: Research and development can contribute to the implementation of innovative solutions for water management and the fight against drought. For example, more drought resistant plant varieties or more efficient water storage systems can be developed.

April 19, National Drought Table

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA) convened yesterday, April 19, a new meeting of the National Drought Board to evaluate its incidence in the field.

Professional agricultural organizations, agri-food cooperatives and irrigation communities were summoned, as well as representatives of the autonomous communities and the ministries of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and of Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge.

The meeting had several objectives:

• Continue monitoring the drought situation that has been going through since last year.
• Analyze the climatic evolution.
• Determine the magnitude of the incidence in crops and livestock.
• Evaluate the state of the water reserves in the reservoirs.

This meeting also served as a meeting forum for all the actors involved and to analyze proposals for action.

The drought situation in Spain varies depending on the region, but in general, in recent years there has been a drastic reduction in rainfall, which has affected the water levels in reservoirs and aquifers. Defeder is carrying out practices that allow responsible use of water and is working on efficient use systems.