Due to the scarcity of rainfall in the province of Zagora, the Ministry of the Interior has decided to suspend watermelon and melon cultivation for one year. This measure aims to protect the groundwater of the region and to combat the overexploitation of water resources, particularly critical during periods of drought.
The temporary suspension of these crops follows a series of previous measures aimed at reducing the area dedicated to red watermelon cultivation, initially from 5,000 hectares to about 2,000 hectares. The ministry has also proposed a rigorous plan to streamline irrigation throughout the year.
This decision has been well received by civil society actors in Zagora, notably by the Association of Friends of the Environment of Zagora (AAEZ), which had previously sounded the alarm. The association had expressed concerns about the impact of these crops on water security in the region, calling for a permanent ban on the cultivation of watermelon and melons in favor of alternative crops.