This DS is one of the most important cotton production areas in the EU, with over 7,000 cotton farmers in a total cultivated area of 280,000 ha. Water for irrigation is collected in an artificial lake (Lake Plastiras) initially established for electrical power generation, and then transferred through an 860 km network of irrigation channels, with additional pressurized pipelines and sensor-controlled points to monitor water circulation and consumption.
The area faces challenges as agricultural and tourist activities require substantial freshwater resources, and cotton cultivation in particular demands significant water and energy inputs for irrigation. The tourism industry and environmental considerations call for sufficient water levels in the lake, while the hydroelectric plant requires a continuous water supply for national security. Conflicting priorities lead to ongoing debates among farmers, tourism entrepreneurs, and the national electric company. Moreover, the dominant role of cotton and other arable crops in the local economy, which support over 9,000 jobs in a region with high unemployment rates, highlights the need to improve water-use efficiency and provide incentives for other sectors to thrive alongside cotton production. A collapse of agricultural production may exacerbate migration towards big cities, thereby making the preservation of a sustainable balance even more critical for the region's future.
This project has received funding from the PRIMA program and European Union’s H2020 research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No. 2341
Founded by the European Union through the PRIMA programme Section 1 under Grant Agreement no. 2341 . Views and options expressed are however those of the auther(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the PRIMA Secretariat. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
