ATP 2004 The Cypriot agriculture facing water management problems
Introduction Characteristics of the Cypriot Republic
CYRPUS: A MEDITERANEAN ISLAND
MEDITERRANEAN ENVIRONMENT A semi-arid climate: Irregular and low rainfalls Unbalanced Rainfall-Evapotranspiration ratio → Frequent droughts
SPECIAL FEATURES OF THE ISLAND (1) Insularity → dependence on ground water and rainfalls Recent changes in climate: - increase of temperature: 0,5°C - rainfalls reduction: 1mm by year / nowadays 500 mm annually
SPECIAL FEATURES OF THE ISLAND (2) Shortage of water → reduction of water resources of 40 %, Droughts are more severe than predicted
IMPORTANCE OF AGRICULTURE Some key figures: 4,5% of the GDP 10% of the working population 30% of the amount of exportations
The Cypriot agriculture facing water management problems PROBLEMS How does Cyprus try to reconcile agricultural development and shortage of water, just before its entry in the EU ?
Sustainable development: Development that allows to all populations which live on earth to satisfy its needs without jeopardizing possibilities of futures generations. (World commission for environment and development, 1987).
I.AGRICULTURE AND WATER 1.Agricultural activities 2.Water resource mobilization 3.Water distribution 4.Limits of the system II.SOCIOECONOMICS ASPECTS 1.Public awareness 2.Limits of the actual policy 3.Consequences III.MEDITERRANEAN APPROACH AND EUROPEAN PROSPECTS 1.Mediterranean programs 2.European programs 3.The Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC): a north- European policy
AGRICULTURE AND WATER
MAIN CULTURES
AGRICULTURAL AREAS
FIRST MOBILIZATION OF WATER: PUMPING THE AQUIFERS
CONSEQUENCES OF OVERPUMPING: SALINATION
DAMS BUILDING POLICY (1)
DAMS BUILDING POLICY (2) Wide scale works: 106 works total capacity : MCM ( MCM in the early 60s)
WATER DISTRIBUTION Southern Conveyor Project ( )
IRRIGATION Agricultural Research Institute’s works (water needs of crops and irrigation methods) Government subsidies
LIMITS OF THIS SYSTEM Damages to ecosystems downstream of dams Water losses in minor networks (30%) Sociological consequences Total dependence toward climate conditions → water recycling and desalination
SOCIOECONOMICS ASPECTS
Agriculture is: - A water consuming activity - But an activity that enable people to earn their lives → How to conciliate these two objectives ?
AWARENESS, A MEAN TO CONCIALIATE ? Increase awareness of government, actual and future citizens, farmers 1.Media 2.Organisms: the C.C.F, the A.R.I, the W.D.D … 3.Projects: Pitsilia Integrated Rural Development Project 4.Measures: price of water Means that are used:
1.Media
2.Organisms: The C.C.F.: Cyprus Conservation Foundation The A.R.I.: Agricultural Research Institute The W.D.D.: Water Development Department
3.Projects: Pitsilia Integrated Rural Development Project
4.Measures: price of water
When economy is more important than ecology: Contradictions at the A.R.I.: water consuming species, counter season cultures Tourism: services = 75% of GDP However, this increasing of awareness has limits… A slackening of vigilance: dams are full. Last three years rainfalls were good
A system to improve: A lack of communication: inside and between institutions (A.R.I., W.D.D.) and with farmers A lack of organization: no independent ministry of environment Some mistakes: water recycled problem and farmers reluctance
CONSEQUENCES A less effective increasing of awareness A break in the evolution of farmers minds Hard-to-apply measures: Ex: price of water: a less important waste or a more important pumping of aquifers ?
MEDITERRANEAN APPROACH AND EUROPEAN PROSPECTS
MEDCODESAL ( ): Mediterranean cooperation for water desalination policies in the perspective of a sustainable development WASAMED ( ): Water saving in Mediterranean agriculture MEDITERRANEAN PROGRAMS
IRRISPLIT ( ): Partial Root Drying: A sustainable irrigation system for efficient water use without reducing yield HORTIMED ( ): Sustainable Water Use in Protected Mediterranean Horticulture EUROPEAN PROGRAMS
WATER FRAMEWORK DIRECTIVE (2000/60/EC) This directive recommends to : Create a management system Make all players implied in water management participate Reduce and control pollution Apply water price policy
WATER FRAMEWORK DIRECTIVE: A NORTH-EUROPEAN POLICY Cyprus: an island scaled management A management of quantity for 40 years… …but… A real chance to evolve on a long term A recent will to manage water quality Hydrographic network
CONCLUSION
Agriculture: an important activity A Mediterranean agriculture An important work to mobilize water resource Aware populations despite communications problems EU entry: a step forward but a lot of work to do a special conception of agricultural sustainable development
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