The Government of Castile-La Mancha and the Community of Irrigators of Vega Río Tajo work together to increase hectares of sustainable irrigation from 156 to 1,140 in the municipality of Almoguera (Guadalajara), a project that combines the modernization of … infrastructure, land concentration and expansion of irrigable surface area. This was explained by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Rural Development, Julián Martínez Lizán, during the visit carried out this Monday to the irrigated area of the city.
The advisor detailed that this objective is articulated through four specific interventions: the modernization already carried out of 156 hectares of irrigated land on the left bank Tagus; the completion of the road consolidation workswhich benefits both Almoguera and Albalate de Zorita; the integration of 330 hectares located upstream into the Irrigation Community; and the treatment of anew land concentration on the right bank of the river to develop an additional 654 hectares.
Martínez Lizán visited the area accompanied by the mayor of Almoguera, Antonio Barona; the Council delegate in Guadalajara, Rosa García; the general director of Rural Development, José Juan Fernández; the provincial delegate of Agriculture, Santos López; and representatives of the Vega Río Tajo irrigation community, led by its president, José Luis Pérez Eusebio. On the ground, The advisor checked the progress of the actions which he described as “very important”whereas “plot concentration and irrigation modernization are fundamental tools for improving the profitability of agricultural operations, reducing energy costs and optimizing water use”.
On the left bank of the Tagus, Land concentration allowed the reorganization of nearly 500 hectares. At the same time, the regional government invested 918,000 euros in the modernization of 156 hectareswhich required the mobilization of a total investment of more than 1.3 million euros. In this area, some 330 hectares remain to be transformed, whose integration into the Community of Irrigators will allow progress in the diversification of crops. “With this we want to diversify crops and move towards a more sustainable agricultural model adapted to the challenges of climate change,” said the advisor, who also highlighted “the commitment of farmers in the region”.
“Decisive effort” from the irrigation community
This same process is being encouraged on the right bank of the Tagus, where land concentration is underway to transform 654 new irrigated hectares. Once all actions are completed, the entire area will reach approximately 1,140 hectares of sustainable irrigation.. According to Martínez Lizán, the impact of this model is decisive for rural development, because “Irrigation multiplies the job generation capacity by 3.6 compared to dry land and contributes directly to population creation and keeping our cities alive. “This is the ultimate goal.”
The councilor also highlighted the role of the Vega Río Tajo Irrigation Community, which, according to him, is carrying out a project “a decisive effort» to modernize its infrastructure, improve its energy efficiency and evolve towards sustainable, competitive irrigation adapted to current climatic conditions.
During his speech, Julián Martínez Lizán placed these actions within the framework of the regional government’s overall commitment to irrigation. He recalled that Castile-La Mancha maintains a “firm commitment” to the modernization and transformation of this sector as a strategic pillar of rural development and agricultural sustainability, with a “historic investment of more than 250 million euros that allows improving energy efficiency, digitalization and responsible use of water, benefiting more than 20,000 farmers.”
In this context, he assured that the Regional Executive would continue to move in this direction, as evidenced by the recent approval of Irrigation Master Plan. Furthermore, he explained that the Office is “at the end of the certifications and payments of up to 72 irrigation projects that were carried out this year throughout the regional territory.”
Finally, the advisor highlighted the effectiveness data of the regional model. “It is a satisfaction to be in a region which, being 5.5% below the average area allocated to irrigation, we are 11% above in irrigation at maximum efficiency“, he said. “We are taking advantage of every drop of water, applying sustainability criteria and demonstrating that, having little water, we can make good use of it,” he concluded, reaffirming the commitment of the regional government to continue supporting farmers to guarantee the continuity, profitability and sustainability of their farms.
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