The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, through the State Society of Agricultural Infrastructures (Seiasa), is currently implementing new irrigation infrastructure worth 14 million euros in La Rioja, which will allow for water and energy savings in irrigated areas on the left bank of the Najerilla River.
These are two separate projects. The first is funded by the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan and co-financed by the European Union's Next Generation funds. The second is co-financed by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), within the framework of the National Rural Development Programme.
The Secretary of State for Agriculture and Food, Begoña García Bernal, stressed during her visit to La Rioja today that modernized irrigation ensures the future of rural women and young people, as well as an efficient, resilient sector adapted to technologies.
For his part, Juan Ramón Bernardo, manager of the joint venture Facsa – Prace Servicios y Obras in charge of the project, thanked Seiasa for the trust placed in the joint venture to carry out these works, which represent a key transformation for the development of the territories, allowing for increased water storage capacity and energy efficiency.
Handover of works in Sector 3, Section III
The Secretary of State has delivered to the Irrigation Community of Sector 3 Section III of the Left Bank Canal of the Najerilla River the modernization works carried out and which include, among other elements, a new accumulation pond and three photovoltaic solar fields.
The new facilities, which allow for improved water and energy efficiency of the farms, have involved an investment of 3.01 million euros.
The action benefits 4,210 irrigators who cultivate 9,017 hectares in the municipalities of Bañares, Baños de Rioja, Briones, Casalarreina, Castañares de Rioja, Cidamón, Gimileo, Haro, Ollauri, Rodezno, San Torcuato Tirgo, Villalobar de Rioja and Zarratón.
This project is part of the “Plan for efficiency and sustainability in irrigation” of the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan Phase I and is co-financed by Next Generation funds of the European Union.
Modernization of the San Asensio irrigation canal is imminent
On the other hand, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is finalizing the implementation and verification of the operation of two projects in the San Asensio Irrigation Community, Sector I Section III of the Left Bank Canal of the Najerilla, which allow the irrigated area to have a modern pressurized irrigation system.
The new infrastructure, with an investment of 11.03 million euros, benefits in this case 433 irrigators who cultivate 1,366 hectares in the municipalities of Honilleja, San Asensio and Torremontalbo, and includes, among other elements, a new regulation reservoir and GPRS telecontrol.
These actions are co-financed by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) within the framework of the National Rural Development Programme.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has planned an investment of 77.96 million euros (VAT not included) for the autonomous community of La Rioja, through Seiasa, to carry out a total of eight actions to modernize sustainable irrigation systems.
