OUR Spainexperiencing one of the warmest years in its history, faced serious challenges drought And water scarcity. The country experienced the warmest April since 1961, when the thermometer reached almost 40 degrees Celsius. In many areas, the ground began to crack due to drought, and reservoirs water for agriculture at this time they must be at least half full, but they are 7% full of their capacity.

Spain, home to the only recognized desert in the European Union, is facing a drought much harder and longer than the other major economies of the European Union. Its proximity to Africa places it in the path of warm air currents heading north from the Sahara Desert.

As a result of all this, the first “Water Battles” began in the country. Dams, canals, and even water systems dating back to Roman times are quickly drying up, and now big agribusinesses are trying to steal water from farmers with their advanced drilling systems. An informal war broke out between these enterprises, local producers and the government.

A €2.2 billion economic package to support farmers and production, while improving water infrastructure.

For Spain, which has been described as the “basket of Europe” with its vast breadbaskets, especially in the south, the problem is also directly economic. A prolonged drought will not only increase the cost of food imports, but also reduce agricultural income. As the phenomenon spreads beyond the south, total olive oil production is expected to drop by 45% this year and wheat production by 60% due to minimal rainfall.

After all this, after an extraordinary meeting, the Spanish government announced yesterday a financial package of 2.2 billion euros to help farmers and improve water infrastructure. According to Rural Development Minister Luis Plana, the package will include tax breaks, investments in dams and modern irrigation systems, and direct subsidies to farmers. The government is expected to run into trouble in upcoming regional elections on May 28 as farmers in areas hardest hit by the drought say they are unhappy with Pedro Sanchez’s administration, which banned drilling as harmful to the environment.

In addition, a law is expected to come into force prohibiting residents of the northeastern region of Catalonia from filling empty pools. The law does not apply to public swimming pools and hotels. But it’s not just Spain. France, the EU’s largest wheat producer, faced massive fires and an unprecedented drought last summer. “It doesn’t look like things are going to get better,” Emmanuel Macron said in a speech in March, saying the government had decided changing of the climatewhile in Italy, Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini recently set up a task force to deal with the country’s water shortage.