In 2023, the Mira Irrigation Perimeter generated an impact of 502 million euros in Gross Value Added (VAB) and more 130 million euros in tax revenue. If water supply constraints are overcome, the region would have generated, in 2023, an impact of 742 million euros in GVA and more than 190 million euros in tax revenue.
More sustainable water management, modernization of distribution infrastructure and connection with other river basins, namely, that of Guadiana, with the Alqueva reservoir as its main tributary, is one of the main conclusions of the report on the Mira Irrigation Perimeter (ORM), presented this Tuesday, by Lusomorango-Organization of Small Fruit Producers and the consultancy YE.
The Impact Plan for the Production and Commercialization of Small Fruits (PIPCPF) presents data on the economic impact and potential of PRM’s agricultural activity, as a job generator in the municipality of Odemira, with a very strong impact on the parish of São Teotónio/Zambujeira, where the greenhouses are located.
One of the important conclusions of the PIPCPF has to do with the reduction in the volume of water supplied to farmers and the area irrigated by them between 2019 and 2023, and the first fallen 72% and the second 24%. Even so, There is an improvement in the efficiency of water use and its scarcity is identified as the main factor limiting the expansion of agriculture in the region.
The study defends the connection of the Guadiana basins (Alqueva), from Mira (Santa Clara) and Barlavento (Odelouca/Monchique and Bravura/Lagos), as a strategic solution for water transfer between regions. Proposed by Lusomorango, maintains that the main point of supply would be Alqueva in connection with Santa Clara, connected by the Roxo dam (Aljustrel), serving the reservoir of the municipality of Odemira as the water distributor to other connections in the Algarve.
Last day 15 December, the Minister of the Environment had announced in Faro that this solution was being studied, after Spain authorized the use of 60 cubic hectometers of the Guadiana River. Maria da Graça Carvalho, stated that “it allows you to use 30 cubic hectometers for water intake in Pomarão with a view to supplying Sotavento (leste) Algarvio and the remainder of the flow to reinforce Alqueva”, justified.
The consultancy YE maintains in the report that “it is necessary to implement a National Water Plan that reinforces the availability of water in the regions most affected by the drought”, defending the need for “construction of new dams and the implementation of interconnection systems of interconnection systems between river basins”, justify.
Defined as a structuring project for the region, the 12.000 hectares of PRM have a strong economic impact on the country and the region and on the employability that the sector offers.
According to the report, o Gross Value Added (VAB) of 2023 it was 502 million, 309 million generated in Odemira and the remaining 210 millions directly. In terms of employment, the project makes it possible, on average, 13.228 annual jobs, of which 11.586 are located in Odemira, generating these last 198 millions in local salaries.
If the use of the area registered for irrigation between 2019 and 2023 the average annual impact of the PRM would have been 605 million, the number of jobs would be 21.824 while salaries had reached 341 million.
Teixeira Correia
(journalist)
