In a meeting of the Plataforma por las Infraestructuras de la Costa Tropical yesterday, it was agreed to request the status of Disaster Zone for Almuñécar because of the lack of water.

The request will be sent to the Delegación del Gobierno de La Junta de Andalucía (provincial representative of the regional government) and the Subdelegación del Gobierno (provincial representative of the Central Government).

The subtropical-fruit sector (one of the key ‘motors’ behind the local economy) is suffering both because of the drought with the consequence of sea water entering the irrigation wells, and because even though decades have passed since Rules Reservoir was completed, there is still no water-distribution infrastructure in place.

According to the P.I.C.T., 2,000 families in sector are affected, which is equivalent to 70% of the subtropical-fruit sector of Almuñécar. Put another way, that over 3,000 hectares of irrigated land or 50% of the jobs that the sector generates each season.

For this reason, the Plataforma por las Infraestructuras de La Costa Tropical considers that realistic and serious measures have to be taken in order to solve the problems in the short, medium and long terms

The 2023 National Budget pleased few as it only earmarks 800,000 euros for irrigation problems in Granada (i.e., Rules) and not a penny towards the coastal-defence deficit, nor a Granada-Motril rail link, which is a necessity backed by all political groups, the local business sector and a viability study carried out by the University of Granada.

Editorial comment: one of the much needed measures that needs to be urgently implemented… is to stop clearing land for yet more, water-thirsty crops.

(News: Almunecar, Costa Tropical, Granada, Andalucia)