Fruit farmers in Calasparra, who use irrigation water from the “travase” (transfer of water from the river Tajo), have lost their harvest as the Regional Government fails to authorize emergency water supplies.
The “travase” was suspended last month as reservoirs of the Tajo reached an all time low and no authorisation has been issued by the Regional Government to use water from the Sinclair emergency water hole in Calasparra.
There are reports of “carpets of soft fruits,” including apricots, nectarines and peaches, in the “travase” irrigation area because the lack of water last month for irrigation has hampered fruit growing to the size required by EU regulations.
Farmers also claim the potato harvest has been affected in a similar manner.
The lack of irrigation water affects some 5,000 hectares of land in Cieza and Calasparra
