Lack of rainfall sparks fears over reserves in Spain

WATER reserves are being closely monitored by the Spanish government as a lack of rainfall threatens to take its toll on crops.

Authorities are keeping a close eye on rain levels amid fears the lack of water could impact on the agricultural productions.

However the water reservoirs are currently at 58 per cent of their total capacity and there is still a commitment to implementing “sustainable and balanced” irrigation modernisation policies.

The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas, said over the last few month his Department has been monitoring the development of the crops in Spain, in case measures need to be put in place.

But he believes “it is still too early” to take action, but that it is necessary “to keep an eye on the situation and its development.”

Organisations like the Spanish Farmers’ union Asaja, have asked the administrations for reports on the situation region by region.

The amount of water accumulated in the peninsular reservoirs reportedly sunk last week, with the loss of 218 cubic hectometres of water.

The reservoirs currently have 32,627 cubic hectometres of water – down on the same period last year, and far lower than the average of the last 10 years.

The Minister assured that more than half of the irrigated area in Spain already uses localised or drip irrigation.

Some 1.4 million hectares have been modernised since the end of the 90s through the investment of €3,800 million.