The Drought Management Commission of the Tinto, Odiel, Piedras, and Chanza Hydrographic Demarcation has just announced a cut of up to 50% of the water available for irrigation in the province, coinciding with the start of the 2023/24 berry campaign. The measure will take effect on November 15.
Despite this decrease in irrigation water, the planted area will be the same as last year because a decrease would not be viable for producers, as the sector has already announced. Now, producers will just have to wait for it to rain.
Water-saving measures due to exceptional drought
Given the serious drought, the Drought Management Commission of the Tinto, Odiel, Piedras, and Chanza Hydrographic Demarcation chaired by the Secretary General of Water of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development of the Junta de Andalucía, Ramiro Angulo, has agreed to reduce the water allocated for irrigation use by 50% and the water destined for urban and industrial use by 10%.
According to the Junta, this decision was taken after an in-depth analysis of the impact that the drought is having in the province of Huelva, as well as the climate forecasts after the start of the hydrological year and the contributions made by the different systems of the basin.
Ramiro Angulo thanked all users, municipalities, irrigators, agricultural organizations, and associations for their understanding and requested everybody make "an additional effort in the face of the increase in water saving measures, which are necessary due to the exceptional drought situation that affects most of the exploitation systems of the Demarcation, as well as the promotion of new awareness campaigns to promote the efficient use of water."
In the coming months, the Drought Management Commission of the Tinto, Odiel, Piedras, and Chanza Hydrographic Demarcation will follow the evolution of the hydrological situation in these systems and update the situation in each of them as needed.
Source: diariodehuelva.es