Controversy over a major irrigation plan and Doñana
Spain plans a wide investment to promote sustainable irrigation in agriculture, with a total budget reaching over two billion euros. About one and a quarter billion euros are earmarked for European funds, and roughly 835 million will go to the General Government Budget. The aim is to strengthen water conservation, advance the use of unconventional water sources, and improve irrigation efficiency. The strategy includes digitizing irrigation communities and coordinating hydrological plans with national agricultural programs to boost the water cycle. The focus is on safeguarding the long term sustainability of irrigated farming, while recognizing concerns about current water use. This program is framed as a step toward prudent management rather than a simple expansion of irrigation. It also highlights the role of recycling and desalination as important components of the future water mix. The goal is to preserve resources while maintaining agricultural output at a level that supports food autonomy.
The plan outlines work spanning more than 750,000 hectares, with a target to reduce overall water consumption by about 10 percent compared to the starting point. The presentation of this plan was made ahead of a drought table meeting that brings together autonomous communities, agricultural associations, and irrigation bodies to discuss the current drought situation and possible responses. The timing underscores the seriousness of the hydrological crisis and the need for coordinated action across regions.
The official noted that the current period is particularly challenging from a hydrological standpoint and due to reduced rainfall. Since last October, rainfall has fallen well below typical levels, and the decline in rainfall across the country since the turn of the century has been substantial. These realities frame the urgency behind the government’s focus on efficient irrigation and water management across farming sectors that depend most on irrigation water.
Regarding irrigation, which covers a vast expanse of farmlands yet represents a fraction of land area, it accounts for a large share of production. The official described irrigation as a key component of the country’s agricultural future and indicated that now is the moment for short term measures that improve resilience while planning for longer term reforms. The discussions will also consider how to adapt the irrigation system to be more sustainable and how to balance it with the use of recycled water and desalination where appropriate.
The outlined sustainable irrigation plan is described as the largest such investment in history. It envisions channeling more than one billion euros in direct support and additional funding from the general government budget to cut water use by about 10 percent while ensuring ongoing agricultural productivity. This framing positions the strategy as essential to safeguarding the nation’s agricultural self sufficiency and water resources for the future.
Controversy over Doñana irrigation proposals
The minister referenced a bill under consideration in the Andalusian Parliament aimed at tidying up almost 800 hectares of irrigated land around Doñana National Park. He labeled the bill clearly illegal under current rules, arguing it contradicts a European Court of Justice ruling, appears to exceed local authority, and is unrealistic given water scarcity and ownership questions. He emphasized that the debate should respect EU decisions and the realities of water distribution in the region, warning that the proposal could mislead farmers and create false expectations about irrigation possibilities. Doñana is described as a vital biodiversity site and a cultural heritage landmark whose protection deserves strong defense, the minister asserted.
He also recalled a 2021 EU Court decision that criticized Spain for non compliance with key water and habitat directives. The proposal to redistribute water in the Doñana area was called unlawful and misrepresented if it suggests water could be allocated where it is not currently available. The minister urged the regional authorities to reconsider the proposal and indicated that legal challenges could proceed as needed to protect the national interest and regional livelihoods. The broader message is a call for balance between farming needs and environmental safeguards, ensuring that any irrigation policy remains realistic, legally sound, and publicly trusted.