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| DROUGHT MEASURES IN ROMANIA (16.05.2007) |
| (2007-05-16) |
| Last updated: 2007-05-16 15:34 EET |
A winter with abnormally high temperatures and little rain, in combination with a summer that started at the beginning of May have led to droughty conditions that risk causing serious problems in Romania. The drought has already damaged hundreds of thousands of hectares of crops. At national level, as much as 10% of the area cultivated with wheat, corn or oats in autumn has been ravaged. Also, seasonal fruit has been affected. The authorities in the respective areas warn that no matter how much rain we’ll have in the future, the situation can no longer be remedied. At least in the south and south east of Romania it is estimated that, in the coming period, the water shortage will only get worse.
And if these predictions hold true, the contribution of agriculture to the Gross Domestic Product will drop, imports in certain sectors will increase and consequently the current account deficit will widen. In this context, the National Committee for Emergency Situations within the Romanian government has analysed the problems caused by the drought and has decided on the measures to be taken in order to avoid serious agricultural damage. As a result, subsidies for irrigation will almost double and farmers will benefit from a longer grace period, that is 60 days instead of 30, to settle their debts. Moreover, subsidies will be granted not only to associations but also to individual farmers. Premier Calin Popescu Tariceanu:
“Why is this so? Because I want to use all equipment at full capacity. As long as we have the possibility to provide irrigation, why not do it? In this way we’ll cover 70% of the total costs for irrigation”.
Romania has 700,000 hectares of land that can be irrigated. However this year farmers have asked for irrigation for just 35 thousand hectares, half this figure. Under these circumstances, agriculture minister Decebal Traian Remes has warned that he will not declare emergency situations in the areas where there are irrigation systems in place which have not been used. In exchange, farmers complain about high prices and the bureaucracy that prevents them from contracting irrigation works, even where such systems exist. The drought might also lead to higher energy prices. The Romanian PM has called on the economy minister to halt, if necessary, energy exports from Hidrolelectrica. PM Calin Popescu Tariceanu:
“In reservoirs, water reserves stand at between 71 and 82%, so we cannot say we are facing a critical situation, but prevention measures have to be taken to avoid subsequent critical situations in other areas.”
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