You should go back to last November To see an image similar to the one shown on this page: citrus fields Castellon full of water as a result of rains. In addition, some precipitation that falls as torrential damage to the fruit. There has been a drought since then and the situation is not expected to improve any time soon. Although the reservoirs in this province are better than those in Catalonia or Andalusia, here already has the effect of not having rain: consumption Water increased by 20% here months, reservoirs are emptied more quickly, risk of oranges and tangerines not reaching the right size for what trade requires.
President of the Presidency Pascual Broch, of the Mijares River Central Water Association, recalls “no need to irrigate until May” last year, Thanks to the March and April rains. On the other hand, he adds, “Now you have to water 3-4 days a week because of the heat, and the caliber doesn’t increase no matter how much you do because it depends on the rain.”
a shared idea José Francisco Nebot of Unió Llauradora. “If there is not enough rainfall, the result of the next campaign cannot be guaranteed.“, he comments.
Bloom
There is another factor that experts consult in detail: the flowering process indicates that there may be a significant increase in production next fall. Something that requires water, especially from the sky, to reach the required size. Otherwise, “A fruit smaller than what the market demands has no value. and consumes the tree,” Nebot elaborates.
This is why citrus growers are in a tense situation. Ideally, moderate precipitation occurs in late summer and early autumn, and desired dimensions are achieved. However, no one can predict the development in the coming months. This isn’t the first time such phenomena have occurred, but as Broch points out, they’re “occurring more and more often.”. Another sign that the weather is changing.
More restlessness on land and livestock
Dryland farmers have been worried for some time now, as the situation in the citrus fields is starting to become worrisome. Olive and almond trees, as detailed by Mediterráneo of the Prensa Ibérica group the risk of not removing the crop, which would have contributed to a bad harvest last season. There are points where livestock and grain pastures are already in an irreversible state because the crops are extremely dry. It rained a little and Nor has there been much precipitation in the form of ice, this in turn affects the refilling of aquifers through snowmelt. To solve the situation, farmers have to buy their animals feed and water in barrels, which increases costs.