Representatives of the Association of Irrigation Communities of Extremadura (Regantex) have met with the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, and Natural Environment of the Junta de Extremadura, Juan José García, to emphasize the essential role that irrigation plays in the agricultural economy of Extremadura and, consequently, in the overall regional economic activity.
In this line, the association's leaders have highlighted the appropriateness of giving priority attention to a sector that drives the creation of wealth and employment and that is "determining for numerous farms and rural areas of Extremadura."
This issue was one of the central axes of the meeting held in Mérida between members of Regantex, led by its president, Francisco Sánchez Bautista, and the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, and Natural Environment, along with the general director of Irrigation and Rural Infrastructures, José Manuel Sánchez.
According to Regantex in a press release, the meeting took place in a "climate of collaboration and dialogue," to which the organization attended with the intention of directly understanding the vision with which the new direction of the ministry faces the current situation and the future of irrigation in Extremadura, as well as the main lines of work planned in this area.
During the meeting, the spokespeople of Regantex insisted that the policies of the Junta de Extremadura must grant irrigation the "consideration that corresponds to its weight within the regional agricultural sector and allow for continued progress in modern and efficient infrastructures."
At the same time, they expressed their willingness to maintain an "attitude of collaboration and dialogue" with the new team of the Ministry of Agriculture, offering "the knowledge and experience of the irrigation communities" to contribute to decision-making.
In parallel, Regantex warned that it will maintain an "attentive and vigilant position" regarding the measures adopted in irrigation matters, with the aim that this area "occupies in the policies of the Junta de Extremadura the place it deserves for the essential role it plays in agriculture and in the regional economy," they state.
Finally, the association emphasizes the relevance of maintaining a direct and stable dialogue with the responsible parties of the regional Administration at a time when the sector "must face important challenges related to the modernization of infrastructures," the improvement of efficiency in the use of water and energy, and the incorporation of new technologies into the management of irrigation communities, as highlighted by Regantex.