Ángela Delgado, president of the Canary Islands Association of Farmers and Ranchers (ASAGA), has urgently highlighted the drought situation in the Canary Islands, with a particular focus on its impact on agriculture in southern Tenerife. Delgado pointed out the critical need for infrastructure development for water collection and management to address the region's third consecutive dry winter. She emphasized the importance of building the necessary infrastructure to store water and criticized the excessive use of water by households.
Delgado also stressed the importance of public education on water scarcity and conservation. She called for streamlined processes by public administrations to improve water systems, including reservoirs and wells. The drought, intensified by climate change, has severely affected key crops in the region. Potato farmers are facing reduced yields and increased production costs due to the lack of investment in water storage infrastructure and insufficient rainfall. The vineyards in the Tacoronte-Acentejo region have seen a 40% reduction in harvest this year, with extreme heat in March 2023 and early 2024 significantly impacting the crops.
Delgado highlighted the issue of substantial water loss in municipal systems due to leaks and stressed the need for synchronized efforts in wastewater treatment infrastructure and residential connections. She praised the declaration of a water emergency by Tenerife's local government, which expedited project approvals, but insisted on the need for improvements to irrigation networks and a more rational water distribution system. Delgado concluded that decisive action on water management and conservation is crucial to prevent catastrophic consequences for agriculture and the region's sustainability.
Source: Canarian Weekly