The CWP launches a new project to assess the use of ponds for irrigating woody crops

The project aims to promote an Operational Group to study the use of ponds for capturing and reusing surface runoff water for irrigation.

The ultimate goal is to provide a new water resource for woody crops, making them more resilient during periods of drought.

Water scarcity poses a serious threat to the long-term economic viability of woody crops such as vineyards and olive groves. In addition, potential restrictions on irrigation water use may impact the productivity of these agricultural holdings, with negative consequences at the economic, employment, and territorial management levels.

To address this challenge, the CWP is promoting an Operational Group project with the aim of conducting a state-of-the-art study on the use of ponds for the storage of rainwater runoff, gathering first-hand information from stakeholders in the agri-food sector potentially interested in using ponds, and ultimately drafting a reference guide with technical criteria for the implementation of ponds for irrigation purposes. At the end of the project, a strategic document will also be prepared, which will serve as a roadmap for planning concrete actions for the construction of ponds in collaboration with some of the project’s partner entities. Work is currently underway on the collection of information and engagement with sector stakeholders, with the guide and the strategic document expected to be completed by the end of 2024.

In a Mediterranean climate, where rainfall events are highly seasonal, the availability of water storage in ponds represents a valuable opportunity to secure an alternative source of irrigation water that increases the resilience of woody crop farms and ensures their long-term viability.

This initiative is funded by the Operational Groups programme of the Catalan Department of Climate Action, Food and Rural Agenda, and is being carried out through cross-sectoral cooperation with various actors, including the consultancy firm ABM, the INNOVI cluster, and the wineries Llopart, Sumarroca, and Juvé & Camps.