“The drought emergency in Basilicata is taking on dramatic proportions. Even in the Vulture-Melfese area, production is literally dying of thirst. Among the excellences of the aforementioned territories, it is worth mentioning quality vegetables such as pomodoro and other specialties, but also fruit, specifically the yellow-fleshed peaches“, he precised Andrea Badursi, President of the Producers’ Organization Asso Fruit Italia with associated agricultural companies in Basilicata and other Italian regions.
“As far as Basilicata is concerned, the agricultural companies of our associates, densely present in the various agricultural areas of Basilicata, are experiencing a critical phase to say the least – he continued – Not encouraging signals are also coming from industry operators, companies such as Eugea Mediterranea have expressed strong concerns about the availability of water necessary to ensure the industrial processes of food transformation of fruit and vegetable products”.
From south to north of Basilicata, the total insufficiency of water resources linked to contingencies such as drought, but also to the unfortunately well-known structural limitations of the water network. The losses involve the networks present throughout the region, therefore the supply levels are inevitably affected. Added to this are other structural criticalities that affect the works necessary for the correct functioning of the reservoirs during the containment phase”.
“The fruit and vegetable sector has come to a standstill during this period and what is worse – added Badursi – as widely reported by our associates, even future business projects risk being seriously compromised by the current situation”.
The president of the Producers’ Organization based in Scanzano Jonico then concluded: “The request that we register among the many associated companies is to open a serious and effective discussion without hesitation with the bodies responsible for the governance of the precious resource. As a PO we are already starting discussions so that the most appropriate solutions can be found to deal with the current emergency and the future can be planned. There is an entire sector on the table and there are work and social expectations that cannot be sacrificed in any way”.
Source: Asso Fruit Italia
