The River Po is facing a severe water crisis, putting one-third of Italy’s agri-food sector at risk

The River Po is facing a severe water crisis, putting one-third of Italy’s agri-food sector at risk

..The Po is experiencing a severe water crisis and a drop in flow, with the river level having fallen to -8 metres below hydrometric zero at Cremona. One-third of Italy’s agri-food sector and half of the country’s livestock farming are at risk

Almost the entire national rice-growing sectoris concentrated in this area , as is aroundhalf of Italy’s production of tomatoes for processing. The Po basin is also home to the majority of Italy’s cattle and pig farms, forming the hub of the country’s main livestock supply chains.

This region is home to some of the most iconic examples of Italian food excellence, such as the PDO cheesesParmigiano Reggianoand Grana Padano, as well as numerous cured meats and hams of certified quality, includingProsciutto di Parma…

The situation on the Po once again highlights the urgent need to implement a National Reservoir Plan: a network of multifunctional reservoirs equipped with pumping systems capable of generating hydroelectric power.

This – explains Coldiretti – is a measure that can be implemented immediately, aimed at collecting and storing rainwater throughout the year, increasing the availability of water resources during periods of drought whilst helping to mitigate the effects of extreme weather events…

P.S.: The situation with the River Po is an ‘old story’: what remains of the River Po, caught between drought and rubbish, which also affects the quality of the fish we eat.