Cyprus is a typical example of the challenges and effects of water scarcity in the Eastern Mediterranean region, the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment Dr. Maria Panagiotou, during the ministerial meeting of MED9, in Cyprus, adding that it is vital to ensure that water management strategies are inclusive and fair.
For his part, European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Janus Wojciechowski admitted that the risk of drought continues to increase and added that by strengthening our response and resilience to this risk we can overcome the threat of drought and ensure that our farmers can to provide food security throughout the European Union for years to come.
In her speech at the opening of the MED9 Summit held in the morning at the Ayia Napa marina, the Minister stated that "the Mediterranean region, which is characterized by its unique climate and rich biodiversity, faces significant challenges due to climate change. The Mediterranean Network of Experts on Climate and Environmental Change and the European Commission's Joint Research Center reported that the recent acceleration of climate change has intensified existing environmental problems in the Mediterranean basin, which are mainly caused by a combination of changes in the use of land, increasing pollution and declining biodiversity'.
He added that “climate change is dramatically altering weather patterns in the Mediterranean, as rising temperatures alter rainfall patterns, while more frequent and severe droughts and extreme events have become the new normal. These changes lead to a reduction in annual rainfall and intensify competition for water resources in the face of reduced availability and increased rates of crop evapotranspiration."
Water scarcity, the Minister continued, “is one of the most urgent issues with profound implications for agriculture, human well-being and economic stability. The European Drought Observatory (EDO) reported that Europe is facing its worst drought in at least 500 years, while the Joint Research Center highlighted that dry conditions, prolonged above-average temperatures and a series of hot spells have exacerbated effects of prolonged lack of rainfall, directly affecting soil moisture and vegetation growth'.
After noting that "agriculture, as the main consumer of water, which uses about 70% of pumped water, is particularly vulnerable to water scarcity" he noted that "the reduction in water flow limits the growth and productivity of plants, resulting in farmers to turn to more drought-resistant varieties and crops, which do not need large amounts of water, thus affecting food diversity and local eating habits."
Still, he noted, water scarcity "can exacerbate soil salinity and erosion, leading to a long-term decline in soil fertility and agricultural productivity. "Reduced agricultural production translates into food supply instability, economic losses for farmers, higher food prices for consumers and wider economic and social distortions in rural areas," he said.
Referring to Cyprus, Ms. Panagiotou said that "it is a typical example of the challenges and effects of water scarcity in the context of the Mediterranean. The country is faced with a limited number of natural water sources combined with a semi-arid climate and periodic droughts."
In recent decades, he noted, “Cyprus has experienced a significant reduction in annual rainfall, affecting both surface and underground water sources with consequential impacts on human well-being and the economy. Overexploitation of groundwater has led to depletion and increased salinity of aquifers, especially in coastal areas, while rapid urbanization, population growth and a booming tourism industry have further increased water demand, further straining resources."
These extreme conditions, said the Minister of Agriculture, "make imperative the use of non-conventional water resources to address water imbalances, such as the use of advanced water treatment and reuse systems and seawater desalination."
The Mediterranean region, Ms. Panagiotou "faces significant challenges due to water scarcity caused by climate change. It is vital to ensure that water management strategies are inclusive and equitable, addressing the needs of vulnerable populations and promoting social cohesion.”
He also said that "through coordinated policy interventions, innovative solutions and regional cooperation, sustainable water management can be achieved, ensuring food security, agricultural productivity and economic stability for future generations".
In his own opening speech, European Commissioner Janus Wojciechowski expressed his satisfaction for his presence in Cyprus and noted that the topic of the conference is timely since "we are observing more frequent droughts throughout the Union, with increasing effects on agricultural production, farmers' incomes, landscapes and the environment and in our food security. We need to address these trends and ensure the resilience of our farmers," he said.
In particular, he continued, “we must support the adoption of more sustainable water management practices, with advanced irrigation techniques and water-saving technologies, with more resilient species and with improved soil management. In all these areas, support can come through the Common Agricultural Policy whose strategic plans are powerful tools, can support farmers damaged by droughts, while allowing them to strengthen their resilience in the long term, encouraging the adapting and incentivizing the sustainable use of water'.
He even cited as an example the financing for rural development, which he said "can support investment in physical assets to alleviate the situation in drought-affected areas and prevent further damage".
He said examples include "providing assistance to combat drought, investments that contribute to water conservation and sustainable water management, including water storage, investments to renovate and maintain irrigation systems that avoid water loss or use techniques precision agriculture and investments to build new or improved infrastructure to channel recycled water for irrigation purposes'.
Referring to the Common Agricultural Policy, he said it can also support farmers in more sustainable water management, such as "using more resistant species or better adapted crops, managing soil to increase water holding capacity and development of landscape features, which can also have a positive role in the water holding capacity of the land.'
The Commissioner called on everyone to use "these available tools of the Common Agricultural Policy to the best of their ability with the full support and cooperation of the European Commission".
After stating that "the risk of drought continues to increase", he added that at the same time our response is becoming stronger and more coordinated and noted that "by continuing this response and continuing to strengthen our resilience, we can overcome the threat of drought and ensure that our farmers can provide food security across the Union both now and for years to come."
It is noted that before Commissioner Wojciechowski's speech, a video was presented at the Summit about the current situation in Cyprus, as a result of the ongoing drought.
Source: KYPE