Algarve farmers defend a 15% cut in water consumption for all sectors

The Commission for Hydroagricultural Sustainability of the Algarve (CSHA) defends, on the eve of the meeting of the Regional Subcommittee of the South Zone of the Reservoir Management Commission to debate water storage in the Algarve region, that the cut in water consumption should be 15 % is the same for all sectors. 

«Taking into account that a justification was never presented for the difference between the cuts imposed for agriculture and the other sectors, and that the storage forecast of 35 hm³ of water between December 27, 2023 and the end of April this year has already been exceeded (on April 15, the amount had been 86 hm³), CSHA will only accept what it has always defended: a 15% cut in water consumption for all sectors», the statement reads.

For the Commission, which represents all sectors of regional agriculture, only in this way will it be possible to “guarantee equity in access to water, complying with article 41 of the Water Law, but also maintain sufficient water levels in the region for the coming years, while works are underway to ensure an increase in water supply in the Algarve».

«Additionally, we would like to hear APA – Portuguese Environment Agency announce the increase in the volume of water to be transferred from the Funcho Dam to the Arade Dam. As requested by the Association of Irrigators of Silves, Lagoa and Portimão, so that agriculture in this irrigation perimeter can carry out this campaign with a 15% cut, it needs 5hm³ of Funcho water», highlights the statement.

CSHA also hopes that, at tomorrow's meeting, a proposal will be presented for groundwater management legislation that allows for the creation of associations of installed producers and users of each aquifer.

«We believe that only by implementing these measures will it be possible to contribute to the sustainable management of water resources and guarantee the efficient supply of water to agriculture, priorities assumed by this Government», he concludes.

A Commission for Hydroagricultural Sustainability of the Algarve (CSHA) was created by producers, farmers and irrigation associations in the Algarve who came together after the announcement of cuts in water supply in the region.

The Commission brings together the interests of all agricultural activities in the Algarve, from fruit, wine, aromatic, animal production, among others, bringing together more than a thousand entities and farmers.