Investigación, desarrollo e innovación en el regadío del sector occidental de la región del Sureste de España

Abstract

The area of study is part of the Southeastern territory of Spain, characterized by its climatological and geological unity. It comprises the Almería municipalities of Pulpí, Huércal-Overa, and Cuevas de Almanzora, and the Murcia municipalities of Puerto Lumbreras, Lorca, and Águilas. Its climatic characteristics, featuring warm temperatures and low rainfall, are made the most of through the practice of modern and intensive irrigation farming. Geologically-wise, strictly speaking, it belongs to the Baetic System with reliefs differentiated by the behaviour of large lateral and vertical displacement faults, which are responsible for the large, seaward, concave Baetic mountainous arcs containing different- sized Neogene basins and corridors connecting the extremes of these reliefs. The expansion of irrigation is a contemporary phenomenon, over the past thirty five years, the irrigation model having been based on: the inflow of external water resources (Tagus-Segura & Negratín-Almanzora transfers, among others); new own resources (for the construction of reservoirs such as Cuevas Almanzora; the readjustment of spaces for rainwater catchment, and the application of desalination technologies); and the modernization of these irrigation systems with a high degree of innovation (for example, hydroponics with and without substrate). The agricultural model of the 21st century responds to intensive, commercial, more technical, dynamic, and precise agriculture, with a strong R&D&I component. It is directed by large export-harvesting companies, those which produce plants in their nurseries and experiment stations, those which generate technological changes in the application of irrigation systems and reservoir construction, and the new crop-growing systems under different types of covers. One out of every three lettuces consumed in Europe is produced in Pulpí, and one out of every three carnation cuttings sold worldwide is grown in Puerto Lumbreras. The most important olive and citrus tree seedling nursery firms in Spain are established in this area. Furthermore, the majority of the irrigation communities are a model of savings and efficiency in irrigation water application. Trials are being carried out on how to cover reservoirs to reduce evaporation, as well as new ways of moving crops to increase production in small surface areas and without soil.