The Mayor of Calasparra. Jesus Navarro, claims that the 111 million euro investment in the modernisation of the agricultural irrigation systems will benefit Calsparra and create employment.
The Mayor made the announcements following a protest by about 200 local farmers and small holders through the streets of Calasparra last Friday.
The protesters, organized by the Association of Farmers and Small Holders in Defence of the River Argos, claim that a third less water will be available through the new system.
The organization represents the owners of a total of 1,002 hectares of agricultural land and represents 2,000 small properties.
Answering a written complaint submitted by the protesters the Mayor said the 11 million investment would modernize obsolete and abandoned farmland and improve the provision of water. The plan would generate 150 jobs and was 70% funded by the European Feder fund. Farmers would only have to contribute the remaining 30%: half over the next few years and the other half by 2026, added.
