That this 2019 is the third year with less rainfall of the century scares and much of the dire consequences that it could have for other plantations in the field. The cereal has been the last major affected, but also drought threatens to the olive grove, the citrus and the vineyard. All these rainfed crops are becoming increasingly difficult to maintain in different parts of the world. Spain. Because, according to State Meteorological Agency (AEMET), regions that already go from points of Galicia to the southeast of the peninsula, they are areas very affected by the little falling water.
Worrisome data that drought threatens
The concern for this increasingly scarce natural resource is a visible reality in the Spanish countryside. This is revealed by the data from dry surface that, for the moment, already leave an extension of 980.000 hectares involved (with a majority of cereal grown in this space). That has been the last balance published by Agroinsurance, corroborating that drought threatens to this food. Because the calculations of the Agri-food cooperatives also forecast a cereal harvest with a 15% less. This, compared to the average of the last three years.
The reason for this is none other than having passed both winter and spring with warm temperatures and a climate that is too dry. Thus, the advances of productions by the Department of agriculture they are also negative, with a fall of 19,5% in the autumn-winter harvest. Specifically, a greater setback is expected in the oats, durum wheat and barley six races, with percentages between -26 and -33%, compared to 2018. In a chain with this cereal problem, livestock is also in serious trouble due to cost overruns food or the escasez water.
However, beyond this herbaceous crop, the crops of the olive grove, the vineyard and even of citric they could be reduced if the meteorological forecast is fulfilled. In this way, drought threatens this summer to the areas with the highest production. What Jaén (olive), Valencian Community (orange) or Extremadura and Castilla-La Mancha (vine). If it continues with hardly any rain while over 35º are maintained, it looks bad for farmers.
