The Cabildo of Lanzarote has taken a further step towards the improvement and modernization of irrigation in the north of the island, commissioning the public company Tragsa to draft the Study of characterization of irrigation in the north of Lanzarote. This study covers the municipalities of Teguise and Haría and aims to create a solid basis for the design and implementation of new independent irrigation infrastructures.
The president of the Cabildo of Lanzarote, Oswaldo Betancort, has stressed the importance of this project for the agricultural sector of the island, especially for farmers in the northern area. "This step is another sign of the commitment of this government group to the agriculture of Lanzarote. With the drafting of this study, we are starting the path to respond to a historical demand of our farmers, and advance in the modernization of irrigation infrastructures, key to ensuring the sustainability and competitiveness of our traditional crops," said the president.
"Our farmers have been demanding improvements in irrigation water for decades, so it is vital to create our own systems of water production and distribution that guarantee access to these fundamental water resources," the president stressed.
Betancort recalls that "last June, the agreement with SEIASA was signed for the execution of the works for the modernization and consolidation of irrigation in the municipalities of Tinajo and Teguise for an amount of 24.4 million euros." "Our intention now," adds the president, "is to execute this same project in other areas of the north and northeast of the island so that agricultural farms also have an independent water network for irrigation."
The preliminary study, which will be carried out over the next few months, aims to know in depth the current situation of irrigation in the area, for which a field work will be carried out that will allow the precise characterization of crops and existing irrigation infrastructures. This information will be transferred to a Geographic Information System (GIS) for monitoring and real-time updating. In addition, an irrigation zoning proposal will be developed, taking into account the current infrastructures and the characteristics of the environment.
The project includes the proposal for the construction of new infrastructures, such as a desalination plant, reservoirs, and water ponds, which will allow supplying water to crops and improving efficiency in the use of water resources. This initiative will not only contribute to the modernization of the island's agriculture but will also strengthen the preservation of the agricultural landscape of Lanzarote, a heritage that must be protected for future generations.
