2024-09-08 22:17:22
The problem of insufficient water for irrigation is becoming national. During the season, amounts of the order of 200 million cubic meters of water go. However, when it is denied to farmers and diverted under the pretext that it should stand as a reserve for electricity production, this does not go unnoticed.
This was said by the chairman of the Bulgarian Rice Association, Georgi Vidolov, who produces rice near Saedinenie. According to him, because of the lobby of the hydropower plants, there was a shortage and an increase in the tension of the farmers in the sector, Nova reported.
“Not the entire harvest, but large areas are threatened by drought at the end of the irrigation season. It can get to the point where very low quality and yield are obtained. This would actually mean failure for a significant part of the rice plantations.” Vidolov also said.
According to him, the association was faced with an official request for the resignation of the head of the National Electricity Company, as the water for the rice farmers was stopped in order to give priority to the vets. “At the moment, the situation has improved, but there is still a risk of crop failure. Water must continue to be supplied regularly to the production area until September 15-20,” added Georgi Vidolov.
Irrigation water costs turn out to be one of the biggest for rice farmers. Its price is about 25% of everything they pay. According to the president of the association, the only option is for irrigation water to become a service of general economic interest.
The weaker harvest will lead to a smaller amount of Bulgarian rice. Producers do not expect a shortage in the market, but a larger part will come from abroad. “The bad thing is that the imported rice does not meet the quality of the Bulgarian rice,” said Vidolov. He does not expect a price increase.