Last year, the water shortage in rural areas cost 6 billion euros. This year, according to Coldiretti, the risk is of even worse outcomes, with production declines estimated by Cia-Agricoltori Italiani ranging from 10% to 30%. This is due to drought, of course, but also to waste. As highlighted by Istat, in 2020, losses in municipal networks could meet “the water needs of over 43 million people for an entire year.” In short, there is significant room for improvement, especially in the agricultural sector.

Between 2015 and 2019, in Italy, out of an annual water requirement of 30 billion cubic meters, a significant 56% was used by agriculture, while 31% was used for civil purposes and 13% for industrial purposes. It is evident, therefore, that if savings are to be made, it must start with cultivation. According to research conducted by the University of Viterbo in collaboration with Aceper (Association of Consumers and Producers of Renewable Energies) on a sample of 700 companies, 70% of Italian farmers rely on their own experience to irrigate their fields.

«With this technique, which we have called ‘Finger Test,’ between 30% and 80% of water resources are wasted» explains Veronica Pitea, president of Aceper, to Libero.

«This means that we are wasting between 8 and 10 billion cubic meters of water every year. The land is often irrigated even when it is not needed. It is inconceivable that in 2023 agriculture is still at this point, given the drought problems we had last year and continue to have this year».