The Federation of Irrigators of Castilla-La Mancha has requested the Guadiana Hydrographic Confederation not to stigmatize users of water bodies, highlighting the importance of their work in ensuring the production of quality food. According to the president of the Federation, Ruperto Mesas, it is essential for society to have access to quality food at affordable prices.
At a seminar on the management of groundwater in areas declared at risk, organized by the Guadiana Hydrographic Confederation in Ciudad Real, the irrigators expressed their concern over the proposal to increase controls for the sustainable use of groundwater extractions, urging the president to reflect on the failure of the measures implemented to date.
On the other hand, they criticized the lack of progress regarding a promised investment of 250 million euros from the Government for the purchase of water rights aimed at the recovery of the aquifer in the Las Tablas area. According to Mesas, this investment has not yielded the expected results, as dry wells were acquired and used to regulate illegal extractions.
The irrigators emphasized the importance of knowing the exact reserves of aquifers and the actual demands of users to achieve a balance between irrigation and the conservation of groundwater bodies. Given the need to restore aquifers to their original state, Mesas pointed out that this would imply the disappearance of irrigation, a point he considers crucial but that is not openly addressed.
Finally, from the sector, efforts made to optimize the use of water through modern irrigation systems and technical advice were highlighted, emphasizing their commitment to sustainability and efficiency in water resource usage.
