Challenges to water management in the Azores

In the Azores, where annual rainfall patterns are expected to change with climate change, the main concern for agriculture is the proper management of water resources, which were scarce last year. The future scenarios are worrying, with more rain and storms.

In order to ensure a strong agricultural sector and the maintenance of its competitiveness, it is advocated the strengthening of water storage capacity and the application of supply schedules.

Experts and farmers say that the Azorean agricultural industry is not one of the most polluting industries and the control of pollutant gas emissions is done by avoiding excesses, both in animal feed and in land fertilisation.