Axarquia farmers protest at irrigation cuts in La Vinuela

AXARQUIAN farmers are fighting back over the latest irrigation cuts made by the Andalucian water board.

We reported back in October that the Andalucian Water Board was to cut back the irrigation allowance given to farmers below the 140 level in La Viñuela from 4000 cubic litres per square hectare to 3000.

The decision was made after a summer of reduced rainfall has left the reserves dangerously close to drought levels.

However the Spanish Tropical Association has announced it is not remaining silent and has warned that the cut backs could not only affect the farmers but also create lasting damage to the regions trees and flora.

The president of the Spanish Tropical Association, Javier Braun has explained that it is evaluating mobilizations to demand more guarantees and infrastructure to ensure the region receives enough water.

According to Braun, works have been asked for for over five years to ensure an adequate water supply to the area, and has condemned the lack of a permanent device to tap water from local rivers to the other side of the Viñuela dam to the reservoir.

The cut, which came into effect this November, will remain until the end of January before being re-evaluated.