DANA Adam, which has mainly affected the regions of Marina Alta (Alicante) and Safor (Valencia) leaving more than 700 liters per square meter accumulated in some points, has also impacted crops such as citrus fruits, persimmons, avocados and vegetables. Agricultural organizations such as the Valencian Farmers Association (AVA-ASAJA) estimate an affected area of about 8,000 hectares, as well as several affected infrastructures (roads, fences, ditches...), especially in the regions of La Safor and La Marina Alta. La Unió Llauradora also talks about the impact, although minor, in the Valencian regions of Ribera Alta and Baixa.
The greatest damage in citrus
AVA-Asaja sources in the Valencian town of Oliva, which is confined and whose accessibility was difficult this Monday, speak of damage to agricultural infrastructure such as fences and rural roads due to the overflowing of rivers and ravines. Nor does the poor state of the sea help, they add, so that these currents can go down and abandon the flooded areas, mainly citrus cultivation.
"All this catches us at a time when we are finishing early varieties, which were maturing at a good pace, such as the Marisol mandarin and the Navelina orange, whose harvest will be affected because time is of the essence for these varieties and they will mature very soon, making it difficult to recover the entire harvest," comments from this agricultural organization. At AVA-ASAJA in Oliva they estimate damage to half the surface and hope that "the damage will be evaluated in depth" in order to receive aid.
From this agricultural organization they regret that "the rains have paralyzed the harvesting and marketing of citrus fruits" and point out that persimmons have also been impacted in La Ribera "due to excess humidity at a key time for the collection of this fruit." They also point to "specific damage" to other crops such as avocados and vegetables.
"All this catches us at a time when we are finishing early varieties, which were maturing at a good pace, such as the Marisol mandarin and the Navelina orange," they lament from AVA-ASAJA in Oliva.
The general secretary of La Unió Llauradora, Carles Peris, explains to La Información Económica that his organization's greatest concern is focused on the La Safor region "where there have been points that have reached between 600 and 700 liters per hectare." Which, he adds, has meant the flooding of citrus fields and, to a lesser extent, avocados and vegetables. In addition to damage to buildings such as fences or walls, "especially in areas near ravines and rivers."
Next challenges: fungi and crop 'suffocation'
The important thing for Peris, from La Unió, once the rains stop is to "enter the fields to apply treatments with fungicides and stop the proliferation of fungi, as well as the root asphyxiation of the trees" due to the sudden displacement of oxygen due to excess water.
The head of this agricultural organization recalls that, on recent occasions, "a public purchase of fungicides was made and they were distributed in the affected areas." AVA-Asaja also supports that public administrations support this type of treatments to prevent the proliferation of fungi. To which they add direct aid and tax relief for farmers affected by this new Dana.
The representative of La Unió speaks in similar terms although he asks for caution while waiting for the assessments carried out by the Agroseguro experts in the coming weeks, when the fields are accessible. The general secretary of La Unió does expect "public investment to repair agricultural infrastructure" such as walls, ditches, irrigation facilities, tool sheds or fences, especially those closest to ravines and rivers.
Both AVA-ASAJA and La Unió fear the action of fungi such as 'aiguat' on the fruits and the aforementioned root asphyxiation, which can dry out the roots of the trees. Both agricultural organizations agree that the degree of impact will depend on how the weather evolves in the coming days and how long it takes for the water to come out.
For Carles Peris (La Unió) the important thing is "to enter the fields to apply treatments with fungicides and stop the proliferation of fungi, as well as the root suffocation of the trees"
The 'positive side' of DANA
'It never rains to everyone's liking', says the Spanish proverb. What happened with Adam fits like a glove. The general secretary of La Unió Llauradora highlights that, apart from the aforementioned regions, "in the rest of the Valencian Community it has rained moderately and in stages." Which has been "very positive" for the interior areas of Valencia with dryland crops. "In the case of citrus and olive groves, they have gained size and pastures have regenerated. In addition, you can stop watering for a month, with the savings that this means," says Peris.
AVA-ASAJA also sees "positive" effects for agriculture in many regions, since "this water helps recharge aquifers and reservoirs, recovers pastures and strengthens the water status of crops for the next season." Which, they agree, will result in the larger size of the fruits, the cleanliness of the trees, the prevention of pests and savings in irrigation.
"Irregular behavior" in Alicante
From the neighboring province of Alicante, the president of Asaja Alicante, José Vicente Andreu, speaks of "an irregular behavior" of rainfall. "From more than 600 liters in Pego to 4 or 5 liters in some municipalities in the interior or south," he points out in statements to this medium.
The president of Asaja Alicante, José Vicente Andreu, speaks of "irregular behavior" between the north and the rest of this province but believes that, in general, "we are facing good rain of the order of 30 liters per square meter"
