“No” in tomatoes and cotton, despite the high income they secure, many farmers were forced to say this summer due to lack of water for irrigation.

Will their income decrease? If watering crops are doing well, they certainly bring more income, but with today’s conditions “I decided not to risk it,” he tells “Everyday»The George Gakiswho traditionally for many years cultivated cotton. His estates are found in Municipality of Sofades to Heart and this year for the first time since he started cultivating in 2003, TOEB (Local Improvement Land Organization that manages the irrigation water network in an area) Sofades – Smokovo announced that no water will be allocated by the artificial Lake Smokovo for watering the crop, since its level is below the security threshold.

Management meetings

To Thessaly There have been meetings from the beginning of May to manage it – minimum of water needs. A few days ago, farmers made mobilizations accusing governments for many years of indifference. But the fact that there is no water is today’s reality, which needs to face anyway.

“Already the drilling do not get enough water. In the cafe, water and the cost of crops are the permanent debate. Some have decided to go as they used to, perhaps planted fewer acres, but they have put cotton anyway. ” There is also a rumor that eventually at the crucial time, in the face of the possibility of destroying the crop, pressures will be exerted and the public manager’s cannon will open.

Many miles further south, in Crete and specifically to Municipality of Phaistosthere are 6,000 acres with greenhouse crops, mainly vegetables. The local TOEB that manages water from the Faneromeni Dam was clear: there is no water to water cucumbers and tomatoes. You will only get quantities to save it from drought perennial crops, ie olives and vines. “We produce out -of -season tomatoes, but we often plant in summer to make money,” he explains to “Kathimerini” Manolis Orfanoudakishaving olives and greenhouses in Messara.

In the summer, the demand for horticulture is rising sharply on the island due to tourism, but as the tourists of Heraklion appear this year they will not easily find local tomatoes.