The government of the Region of Murcia has allocated seventy-six million euros to modernise outdated irrigation systems across the area. This significant investment aims to improve agricultural practices and enhance the environmental condition of the region. It is expected to benefit over seventeen thousand hectares of crops in farming communities such as Cieza, Totana, and Librilla, while promoting the use of renewable energy and non-conventional water sources.

In response to three hundred complaints against farmers regarding illegal irrigation practices, the region has already made strides towards reducing nitrate pollution, with a reported decrease of five hundred tonnes in the Mar Menor from twenty twenty-two to twenty twenty-three. However, the complete elimination of nitrates will take several years due to the complex nature of their sources.

The Ministry of Agriculture’s plan includes the establishment of an automated irrigation network and the installation of photovoltaic solar plants to enhance sustainability. Notably, a floating solar plant is set to be built on a water storage pond in the Serrana-Los Albares region, benefiting four hundred and fifty farmers and addressing electricity consumption issues.

This modernisation effort is part of the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan in Spain, with funding provided by European Next Generation funds. As part of ongoing improvements, the desalination of water resources will also play a crucial role, benefiting thousands of farmers across various crop areas in Murcia.