AGI – The situation in the fields and farms of Basilicata is dramatic due to the Drought. The lack of rain and the lack of water infrastructure are causing havoc on crops and animals, with harvests practically eliminated. And farmers give up threshing. The alarm is raised by the Coldiretti of Basilicata.
In the province of Potenza, the damage to cereal crops, starting with wheat, reaches up to 90%, as well as for fodder and legumes, according to the analysis of the Lucanian agricultural organisation. Many growers have made the painful decision to do not thresh because it would only have generated additional costs. Farms are also suffering. The situation is no better for spring and summer crops, especially with regards to the planning of transplants of tomato plants and the sowing of vegetables. As for the Matera area, the exceptional drought has seriously compromised the production of wheat and fodder, with consequent serious damage to livestock. The loss of olive production in the hilly areas is also significant. The overall availability of water in the reservoirs is much lower than last year and it follows a serious water emergency which makes the management of fruit and vegetable production extremely difficult, especially in the Metaponto plain.
