Water and Climate Change: A Growing Challenge for Gozo’s Agriculture
Water has always been one of the most important resources for agriculture in Gozo. As climate conditions continue to change, ensuring the sustainable and reliable availability of water is becoming increasingly important for the future of the island’s farming sector.
Gozo’s agricultural landscape is particularly exposed to periods of low rainfall, prolonged dry conditions and increasingly unpredictable weather. These pressures can directly affect crop production, soil conditions, livestock operations and the overall viability of agricultural activity.
A Changing Climate
Climate change is not only about higher temperatures. Changes in rainfall patterns, longer dry periods and more intense weather events can create significant challenges for farmers.
Periods of limited rainfall increase dependence on irrigation precisely when pressure on available water resources is greatest. At the same time, intense rainfall over short periods may result in valuable water being lost through runoff rather than retained within the agricultural landscape.
For an island such as Gozo, these challenges require particular attention.
Making Better Use of Water
The long-term response must include both the protection of existing water resources and investment in more efficient ways of capturing, storing and using water.
This can include improving agricultural reservoirs and water-storage infrastructure, encouraging efficient irrigation technologies, maintaining traditional water-management systems and exploring the appropriate use of alternative water sources for agriculture.
Rainwater capture is particularly important. Where possible, rainfall should be regarded as a resource to be retained and used rather than allowed to leave agricultural areas through uncontrolled runoff.
Supporting Farmers Through Adaptation
Farmers cannot be expected to respond to climate change through regulation alone.
Adaptation will require practical investment and appropriate support for farms to improve irrigation systems, increase water-storage capacity, adopt more water-efficient practices and strengthen the resilience of agricultural holdings.
Policies must also recognise Gozo’s particular circumstances as an island, including its geography, fragmented agricultural land and the additional constraints faced by relatively small farming operations.
Planning for Gozo’s Agricultural Future
Water security and climate resilience must become an integral part of long-term agricultural planning for Gozo.
GCAF believes that farmers, sector organisations, public authorities and other stakeholders should continue working together towards practical solutions that protect water resources while ensuring that agriculture has access to the water it needs to remain productive.
Protecting Gozo’s agricultural future means preparing today for a climate that is already changing.
Gozo Confederation for Agriculture and Fisheries (GCAF)
One Island. One Voice.