Posted on 03/24/2023 22:50
Video length: 3 mins
FRANCE 3 articles written by
J. Van Hove, A. Fischer E. Gazengel, B. de Saint Jore – France 3
France TV
In Andalusia, avocado producers are concerned. The lack of water directly affects their production and threatens their farms. Reporting.
Near Malaga, Andalusia (Spain), the smallest available area is occupied by avocado trees. In the Cerqueira Valley, Francisco Pineda and his son own three hectares of avocados. They lost 80% of their harvest this year due to the drought. “Due to the lack of water, the caliber is very small,” regrets the producer. Too small fruits and suffering trees. “It’s the first time I’ve seen this in 40 years. if it doesn’t rain […] this tree will die,” confirms the farmer. It hasn’t rained for several months, the river next to his yard and his well have dried up.
An economy in jeopardy
A growing water shortage that threatens an entire avocado-based economy. Almost all of them depend on a water reservoir a few kilometers upstream to irrigate their avocado trees. La Viñuela is the region’s main source of drinking water, but it is almost dry. According to specialist Rafael Yus, avocado is too water intensive and consumes resources. In response to climate change and to supply farmers, ponds store recycled water. Meanwhile, some producers are cutting down the trees to make up for the lack of water, hoping they will come back in the fall.
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