If the farmers and smallholders of Argos reservoir vote against the alternative plan for a mixed system of irrigation at the end of the month Calasparra stands to lose a EU grant of 9,349,300.84 euros which would pay for 70% of the modernisation work.
Under the alternative plan, offered after members rejected an exclusive drop irrigation system, only those who apply for the new irrigation system will pay. Those who “opt out” will carry on using the existing irrigation system and will not pay. However, everyone will be able to vote on the alternative plan at a meeting at the end of August.
Anyone who wants to apply for the modernisation of their irrigation system must apply before August 15 at the Office of the Communidad de los Regantes in Gran Via between 7pm and 9pm any weekday evening.
The Communidad de los Regantes is appealing to members to vote for the alternative plan in order to “support the development of our town and vote for sustainable and profitable agriculture.”
If 100% of the landowners and smallholders vote for the new system it will cost individuals around 250 euros a taulla. If only 50% vote in favor this figure almost doubles. The money can be paid in full or over 15 or over 25 years with no interest credit.
The opposition to the modernization of irrigation systems in Calasparra point to the “interest free loans as a “mortgage on the patrimony” and claim the alternative plan is “illegal.” However, the plan has been approved by the Ministry of Agriculture in Madrid as a way to avoid losing the nearly one million euro grant, which all three political parties claim will be “an investment in the future of agriculture in Calasparra and will help create short and long term employment in the town.”
