For agriculture and horticulture in Southern Europe, the persistent drought threatens a harsh summer. There is already a water shortage in Spain, and in Portugal they are talking about the worst drought in 20 years. The Italian government has declared a state of emergency for five northern agricultural regions of the country.
In Spain, freshwater reservoirs are on average still about half full – the lowest level in the past 17 years, reported the newspaper “La Vanguardia.” Recovery is only expected in autumn. However, the lack of water is already affecting agriculture and livestock farming, inland navigation, and tourism, reported the Spanish television broadcaster RTVE.
In Portugal, there is now talk of the worst drought in the past 20 years, currently experiencing one of the most severe drought periods ever. 34% of the mainland is facing severe drought and 66% extreme drought.
The warning that people will have to get used to less water thus applies not only to Portuguese people but also to investors in agro-industrial activities and economic sectors. Economic sectors that require water (for example, golf courses or agriculture and horticulture) must invest in water-saving measures. It is no longer a choice but an obligation, according to the government in Lisbon.
In Italy, the state of emergency is in effect for the rest of the year in Lombardy, Piedmont, Emilia-Romagna, Veneto, and Friuli-Venezia Giulia. These are the major agricultural provinces. Large lakes such as Lake Garda have significantly less water than usual. The water level in the Po River – the longest river in Italy – has dropped in some places lower than in the past 70 years. .
France is one of the largest grain exporters of the European Union. However, heat and drought currently threaten the French harvest. Between February and March, up to 40% less rain fell. The chairwoman of the largest farmers’ union FNSEA, Christiane Lambert, sounded the alarm. In addition to the drought, people in the South of France are currently experiencing a heatwave.