Drought-hit Mediterranean countries to invest in water-saving tech

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🗞️ Driving the news: France, Greece, and Spain, alongside other southern EU countries, have pledged to invest in water-saving technologies to help farmers cope with worsening droughts
• The commitment was made during a meeting of the MED9 group in Cyprus, where officials discussed the growing threat of water scarcity and its impact on food security

🔭 The context: The MED9 countries, which include France, Greece, Spain, and six other Mediterranean nations, are increasingly facing severe droughts due to climate change
• To tackle this issue, they plan to collaborate on innovations such as solar power, smart irrigation systems, and weather-resistant crops
• These measures aim to enhance water efficiency and reduce the agricultural sector's vulnerability

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Climate change is causing more frequent and severe droughts, particularly in the Mediterranean region, threatening both food production and security
• By investing in water-saving technologies, these EU countries aim to ensure sustainable agricultural practices, safeguard food supply, and mitigate climate-related risks

⏭️ What's next: The MED9 countries will share technical knowledge, launch joint research initiatives, and seek additional EU funding to support water-saving projects
• They also called for a unified EU approach to water conservation that considers regional needs, emphasizing the importance of adapting farming practices to new climate realities

💬 One quote: “Climate change is a real threat to food production worldwide, and this risk is even more severe in the Mediterranean area,” said Spain’s Agriculture Minister Luis Planas

📈 One stat: Smart irrigation systems can reduce water use by up to 30%, as demonstrated in local examples cited by Cyprus’s Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou

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