Modernization techniques and water conservation irrigation Spanish paradoxically did not serve to consume less streams, quite the contrary.. This is the result of a report by the conservation entity WWF.
The political and technical aim of irrigation modernization is to save water by increasing the efficiency of irrigation systems. “But the truth revealed by science puts an end to this claim. increased efficiency in irrigation consumes more water due to the “kickback effect”, The WWF draws attention in its statement.
In this organization’s view, “in most cases, other political and economic interests associated with co-financing projects are served because Modernization of irrigation means increased production and increased income for the irrigator.”.
In addition, according to the report, to counter this effect, an adequate and drastic reduction of water supplied will be required, “something not done by non-controlling water authorities”.
But what was the water supposedly saved from the modernization of irrigation systems used for? “To barren irrigation and fields, to prolong the double harvest, to use more intensive and productive crops; but not conserving water for hydrographic basins”.
For example, WWF More than 3 billion 800 million Euros have been invested in the modernization of irrigation systems in Spain since 2004.ue was procured from the EU for the so-called water saving. However, irrigated area data in Spain published by MAPA show a steady increase for more than a decade. (up to 11%), increasing from 3,367,486 hectares in 2002 to 3,605,121 hectares in 2014.
For this reason, The modernization of irrigation “cannot be considered a means to achieve environmental and climate change goals.As intended in Programs of Action to achieve the good status of water bodies contained in the Strategic Plan of the Common Agricultural Policy (PEPAC) or in the Basin Hydrological Plans”.
possible alternatives
The report calls for the implementation of “real demand reduction measures” in Hydrological Plans and the implementation of the Common Agricultural Policy as an alternative to modernizing more water-consuming irrigation systems.
Some of the requested measures are:
- Extend controlled open irrigation on woody crops,
- Universalize recommendations for waterersto train in irrigation water adjustment and fertilization according to the water needs of plants and available resources.
- Reducing agricultural production Thanks to the improvement in profitability associated with the quality of the products and the ability to organize and plan the harvest to adjust the offer to the real demands of the markets, we demand from the Water authorities:
- Systematic downward reduction of already modernized irrigation concessionstaking into account climate change prospects.
- Avoid using potential savings to sell water to other users or intensify irrigation.
- Monitoring the actual consumption of crops and the amount and quality of water irrigation yields
Full report: https://wwfes.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/informe_wwf_modernizacion_regadios.pdf?62980/La-modernizacion-de-regadios-no-ahorra-agua-y-empeora-la-sequia
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