Irrigation and territory in the southeast of Spain: evolution and future perspectives within new hydrological planning

Abstract

The model of the regional economic development of southern Spain cannot be understood without taking into account intensive irrigated agriculture and its inextricable relationship with water availability. In this semi-arid territory, the need to ensure the efficiency of agricultural water use has been a constant, which has led to the gradual modernization of systems of resource use. However, the total water demand in the Segura River Basin and Almeria province has increased to exceed the limits of natural resources, resulting in a structural water deficit with an unsustainable trend, as is highlighted in hydrological planning. In this paper we analyse the shape, socioeconomic and environmental consequences of the expansion of irrigation in Murcia and of greenhouses in Almeria. It becomes clear that the main shortcoming is the structural shortage of groundwater. The paper concludes with the idea that, despite this severe limitation, more productive irrigation could absorb the higher costs of a solution based on water from coastal desalination to solve the hydrological deficit and, in turn, can become a guarantor of the quality of the ecosystems, food security and good territorial order within the sector.

Perceptions and Acceptance of Desalinated Seawater for Irrigation: A Case Study in the Níjar District (Southeast Spain)

“…This finding coincides with findings for recycled water [41] and for desalinated water [42]. However, it contradicts other studies indicating that the price is the only explanatory reason for the low use of desalinated seawater for irrigation (e.g., [21,23,24]). The farmers' negative perceptions regarding the need for additional fertilization is justified as extra costs are involved that make irrigation management more complicated.…”

“…However, after a decade of using desalinated seawater for agriculture, this water supply option has not yet been generalized, and there is an underutilization of desalination plants that are operating at a reduced capacity [22]. The high desalinated-water prices often serve to explain this underuse of desalinated seawater for irrigation (e.g., [21,[23][24][25]). Nevertheless, no study on farmers' acceptance of such projects has been previously conducted.…”

Modernization of new irrigated lands in a scenario of increasing water scarcity: from large reservoirs to small ponds

“…This is the case for the Ebro Valley (Castelló, 1989;Frutos et al, 2008), the Duero Valley (Baraja Rodríguez and Molinero Hernando, 2008), the Guadalquivir Valley (Gómez-Limón et al, 2013), and southeast Spain (Gómez Espín et al, 2005;López Fernández and Gómez Espín, 2008;Martínez Medina and Gómez Espín, 2008;Pérez Morales, 2008;Grindlay et al, 2011). This includes the renewal of water pipes, the construction of ponds to increase the water storage capacity (Martínez Medina and Gómez Espín, 2008), plot concentration (Gil Meseguer and Gómez Espín, 1987), and the generalization of new irrigation systems such as sprinkling and drip irrigation.…”

Interrogating sustainable productivism: Lessons from the ‘Almerían miracle’

“…Grower2 who uses hydroponics but without the more demanding closed circuit technology for example had to seek advice and support directly from the wholesaler. Research suggests that additional investment and even the higher cost of desalinated water could be sustained by the majority of producers and would contribute to increase profit (Grindlay et al 2011;Torellas et al 2012). But this water official refers to the precarious position of many small farmers that suffer disproportionately from the price squeeze: One large producer's co-operative suggests that consumer demands will direct attention to sustainability challenges that must be faced (personal communication 2010) but there is little evidence that the localised problem of water quality has gained much traction as a quality concern.…”

“…Oñate and Peco 2005;Grindlay et al 2011). Spain has a history of a deliberative rather than coercive approach in water governance, and the past couple of decades have seen the devolution of water governance to the regional level (Hernandez Mora et al 2008).…”