This year there is an unprecedented drought in much of Aragon, with several districts affected by the low rainfall accumulated so far this year, according to the agricultural and livestock association.
AEGA has issued a statement reporting the severe drought affecting some areas of Aragon and requesting direct aid for the sector. Statement:
"In regions like Maestrazgo, which typically receives around 800 liters of rainfall annually but has only seen about 40 liters so far in 2024, the dryland harvest is already considered lost. Some mountainous areas used for extensive livestock farming have no pasture left, and there are problems with water supply for the animals."
In all the districts on the right bank of the Ebro River, winter cereals have emerged in very poor condition in dryland areas, and in irrigated areas, some municipalities are experiencing water restrictions. There are even areas where irrigation is impossible due to lack of water.
On the other hand, spring cereals are also affected by the lack of water. Sowing them is not viable, as the necessary irrigation is not guaranteed, making it difficult for farmers who cultivate these crops to make a living.
The situation is very complex for some areas of Aragon and we see that aid is necessary to guarantee the viability of farms and the subsistence of families dedicated to agriculture.
In 2023, drought was widespread throughout Spain, and the central government supported the sector with exceptional drought relief aid. This year, 2024, drought is a serious problem in very specific areas, so we believe it is necessary for the Government of Aragon to provide support to the sector by implementing direct drought relief in the most affected areas of our region.
We also believe it is important to consider this problem when monitoring plots affected by the drought. In some dryland areas, the crops have not germinated, and in others, they have been severely affected by the high temperatures in March and April, more typical of May and June. This has led to early flowering of the cereal, and now, with the drop in temperatures, the crops have frozen, resulting in the loss of a large part of the harvest.
Furthermore, due to this drought, some mountain areas lack pasture, making it impossible to feed extensively grazed livestock. It is necessary that, in some farms, the consumption of drought-affected dryland cereals on-site be permitted, allowing them to be used as livestock feed, even if they were originally sown for harvest.
In light of the above, we request direct aid to alleviate the climate emergency that, for the second year in a row, is affecting our farms.
On the other hand, this week, after the demonstration on Saturday, April 27th in Zaragoza, we were able to meet with the President of the Government of Aragon, taking advantage of his visit to Calatayud on Tuesday the 30th.
We took advantage of the meeting to convey to him the problems of the agricultural and livestock sector and to give him the manifesto that we read at the rally in Zaragoza."
Regions experiencing drought:
1- Andorra, Arcos mountain range
2- Lower Aragon
3- Maestrazgo
4- Mining Basins
5- Lower Martin
6- Belchite Field
7- Calatayud
8- Aranda
9- Jiloca
10- Monegros
11- Lower Cinca
12- Lower Riverbank
13- Daroca Region
14- Caspe
15- Zaragoza
16 – Cariñena
