In response to the escalating impact of climate change, France, Greece, and Spain have pledged to develop and implement cutting-edge water-saving technologies to protect their agricultural sectors from worsening drought conditions. This initiative is part of a broader commitment made by nine southern European Union (EU) countries—collectively known as the MED9—to safeguard farmers and maintain food security across the region.
A United Front Against Climate Change
During a recent gathering in Cyprus, the MED9 countries—comprising Croatia, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Spain, Slovenia, and the host nation Cyprus—acknowledged the severe impact of climate change on the Mediterranean region. The group emphasized that this area is particularly vulnerable to water scarcity, which poses a significant threat to agricultural productivity and food supply.
Spain’s Agriculture Minister Luis Planas highlighted the urgency of the situation, stating, “Climate change is a real threat to food production worldwide, and this risk is even more severe in the Mediterranean area. We must both fight climate change and, at the same time, adapt the working conditions of our farmers to this new climate situation.”
Innovative Solutions for Water Conservation
The officials discussed a range of innovative solutions aimed at reducing water consumption in agriculture. Among the proposed technologies are smart irrigation systems, which optimize water use by precisely delivering water to crops when and where it is needed most. Solar power is also being explored as a dual-purpose solution to both generate electricity and reduce water usage, potentially cutting water consumption by up to 30%.
France’s Agriculture Minister Marc Fesneau introduced techniques designed to develop new crops that can thrive in harsher climates. Meanwhile, Portugal’s Agriculture Minister Jose Manuel Fernandes called for increased EU funding to support these technologies and to attract younger generations to farming, which is crucial for revitalizing an aging workforce.
The Path Forward
The MED9 countries agreed on the importance of collaboration, both in terms of sharing data and launching joint research programs. These efforts aim to make water use as efficient as possible across the region. Additionally, the officials urged the EU to adopt a common approach to water conservation that respects the unique needs of different regions within the bloc.
Slovenia’s Agriculture Minister Mateja Čalušić stressed the need for climate change adaptation to be at the core of EU policies, noting, “As the climate crisis will have a major impact on global food security, climate change adaptation must be placed at the heart of our common policies.”
The MED9 initiative represents a crucial step in addressing the challenges posed by climate change, particularly in regions like the Mediterranean that are increasingly suffering from water scarcity. As these countries work together to innovate and implement new technologies, they not only protect their agricultural sectors but also contribute to the global effort to ensure food security in an increasingly unstable climate.
Source: Euronews
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