[Socio-economic study on the irrigation project of the Calanda-Alcaniz canal [Spain]]
1996
Uku, S.O.
Irrigation projects are very important in the dry areas of Spanish agriculture. The present study analyzes the socio-economic and environmental aspects of the Canal de Calanda-Alcaniz irrigation project, an area located in the Teruel province of Spain. The study begins describing the area physical characteristics and the irrigation project features. Next, the human resources in the irrigation and surrounding areas are examined, in order to know the availability of labour supply for the project. Based on the information obtained from experts, and surveys to farmers, cooperatives and companies, the following points have been analyzed: i) farms characteristics in the Valmuel-Puigmoreno irrigated area and in the irrigation project area (Alcaniz, Calanda and Castelseras); ii) which are the more profitable crops to plant in the new irrigated land; and iii) manufacturing potential in the area to process the raw products. The study concludes identifying the environmental effects of irrigation on the area. The results show that there are enough human resources to cover the employment induced by irrigation development, and also the importance of irrigation to improve the loss of population problem. The extensive type crops (corn, alfalfa, barley), the pocketed late peach and the olive tree, are very important crops in the new irrigated farms. The industries in the area have enough processing capacity to absorb the increase in the raw products supply, and have planned new production activities. Finally, the negative effects of the irrigation project on vegetation and fauna are described, and some correcting measures are proposed.
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