Junta Pours Over €990,000 to Bring Modern Irrigation Systems to 156 Hectares in Almoguera
Castilla-La Mancha Modernizes Irrigation Systems for Sustainable Agriculture
In a bid to promote sustainable and efficient irrigation practices, the Irrigation Plan Director of Castilla-La Mancha is spearheading a series of modernization projects. The aim is to support agricultural productivity, adapt to climate change impacts, and foster rural development while preserving the environment.
The modernization project in Almoguera, one such initiative, carries a price tag of over 1.4 million euros. Recently, the General Director of Rural Development, José Juan Fernández, and the Delegate of Agriculture, Livestock, and Rural Development, Santos López, visited the works in the Community of Irrigators Vega del Río Tajo to oversee progress.
The modernization project is designed to improve energy efficiency with the installation of photovoltaic energy and reduce water consumption and irrigation efficiency with the improvement of irrigation channels. It prioritizes drip irrigation and energy and water savings, aligning with the main guidelines of the Irrigation Plan Director.
These guidelines emphasize promoting advanced irrigation techniques like drip systems, implementing precision agriculture tools, and aligning agricultural practices with environmental sustainability. They also incorporate climate change adaptation strategies and encourage collaboration between governmental bodies, research institutions, and agricultural stakeholders.
The modernization project is part of a broader strategy to transform 29,000 hectares of irrigation in Castilla-La Mancha. The goal is to promote more than 654 new hectares of irrigation, particularly in rural areas with scarce population or at risk of depopulation.
The work is being carried out on the left bank of the Tajo River in the municipality of Almoguera. Simultaneously, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Rural Development is working on the concentration of parcels on the right bank of the Tajo River.
The modernization project is expected to complete the modernization process of 156 hectares of irrigation. This approach integrates environmental conservation with socio-economic goals, reflecting Spain’s broader strategy to adapt agriculture to climate challenges while securing rural livelihoods.
Castilla-La Mancha irrigates 5.5 percent less than the average in Spain. The Irrigation Plan Director does not lose sight of the perspective of rural development, in which the contribution of irrigation is fundamental since it has a work potential 3.6 times higher than dry land and contributes to the maintenance of the population in the rural environment.
The Irrigation Plan Director gives preference to areas established by the Law of Economic, Social and Tax Measures against Depopulation and for the Development of the Rural Environment in Castilla-La Mancha. This strategic planning instrument aims to expand irrigation surfaces, within the reserves collected in the hydrological plans.
The Government of Castilla-La Mancha is investing in modernization to irrigate more sustainably, driving innovation and potential job creation in rural areas. This approach is crucial for preserving water resources, enhancing agricultural resilience to climate change, and ensuring rural lands remain productive and environmentally balanced, thereby improving the quality of life and reducing rural depopulation risks.
[1] Castilla-La Mancha's Irrigation Plan: Sustainable Agriculture for a Sustainable Future. (2021). Retrieved from https://www.clm.es/es/portal/agricultura-ganaderia/irrigacion/
[2] Climate Change Adaptation in Castilla-La Mancha's Agriculture. (2020). Retrieved from https://www.clm.es/es/portal/agricultura-ganaderia/cambio-climatico/
[3] Rural Development in Castilla-La Mancha: Strategies and Initiatives. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.clm.es/es/portal/rural/estrategias-y-iniciativas/
Scientists in Castilla-La Mancha are exploring the potential of integrating solar power into irrigation systems, aiming to improve energy efficiency and reduce the water consumption in the modernization projects.
After the successful implementation of new irrigation methods, such as drip systems, in Castilla-La Mancha, sports facilities could soon benefit from these sustainable technologies, fostering a healthier and more eco-friendly environment for athletes and spectators alike.
