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Irrigation Post-Modernization. Farmers Envisioning Irrigation Policy in the Region of Valencia (Spain)

Author

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  • Carles Sanchis-Ibor

    (Centro Valenciano de Estudios del Riego, Universitat Politècnica de València, 46022 València, Spain)

  • Mar Ortega-Reig

    (Centro Valenciano de Estudios del Riego, Universitat Politècnica de València, 46022 València, Spain
    Institut de Desenvolupament Local, Universitat de València, 46010 València, Spain)

  • Amanda Guillem-García

    (Centro Valenciano de Estudios del Riego, Universitat Politècnica de València, 46022 València, Spain)

  • Juan M. Carricondo

    (Centro Valenciano de Estudios del Riego, Universitat Politècnica de València, 46022 València, Spain)

  • Juan Manzano-Juárez

    (Centro Valenciano de Estudios del Riego, Universitat Politècnica de València, 46022 València, Spain)

  • Marta García-Mollá

    (Centro Valenciano de Estudios del Riego, Universitat Politècnica de València, 46022 València, Spain)

  • Álvaro Royuela

    (Centro Valenciano de Estudios del Riego, Universitat Politècnica de València, 46022 València, Spain)

Abstract

During the last three decades, like many other Mediterranean states, Spain has intensively promoted the modernization of irrigation, focusing mainly on the introduction of pressurized irrigation systems. Following 30 years of investment, a shift in irrigation policies is needed to solve some of the deficiencies in this modernization process and to incorporate new measures to cope with upcoming challenges generated by international markets, climate change and other social and economic processes. This paper describes and analyses the results of participatory research carried out with the water user associations in the autonomous region of Valencia, in order to define post-modernization irrigation policies. A survey and 24 local workshops involving 304 water user associations were conducted during the irrigation season of 2018 in order to form an assessment of the sector and design new irrigation policies. The results show that after 30 years of important investment, the obsolescence of the infrastructure has become the current main priority, making farmers dependent on public subsidies. New necessities have also emerged, such as renewable energies and nonconventional water resources, which farmers consider indispensable in order to reduce operating costs and guarantee water supply.

Suggested Citation

  • Carles Sanchis-Ibor & Mar Ortega-Reig & Amanda Guillem-García & Juan M. Carricondo & Juan Manzano-Juárez & Marta García-Mollá & Álvaro Royuela, 2021. "Irrigation Post-Modernization. Farmers Envisioning Irrigation Policy in the Region of Valencia (Spain)," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-21, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:11:y:2021:i:4:p:317-:d:530141
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hoogesteger, Jaime & Bolding, Alex & Sanchis-Ibor, Carles & Veldwisch, Gert Jan & Venot, Jean-Philippe & Vos, Jeroen & Boelens, Rutgerd, 2023. "Communality in farmer managed irrigation systems: Insights from Spain, Ecuador, Cambodia and Mozambique," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 204(C).

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