Beating the desert: Eco agriculture helps reverse Andalusia’s desertification
Last updated 04/09/2008 12:04:04
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Organic olive farm like this helps preventing the desert from advancing into Andalusia. (Photos by Zarina Holmes)
According to recent reports, the people of Andalusia finally have reason to breathe a sigh of relief - Europe's largest desert is seeing a reversal in conditions, with green areas increasing.
This is a result of two factors: successful re-forestation along the coast and in the mountains, and a change in attitude towards conventional farming methods.
Since the 1970s, the Almeria Province along Spain's southern coast has seen a drastic change, due largely to the practice of intensive greenhouse agriculture for mass production. Roughly 20,000 hectares (49,421 acres) of land area were converted for this purpose.
Dutch hydroponic farming technology initially made intensive cultivation possible, albeit through the construction of 118 dams and 22 water transfer projects.
Unfortunately the results have proved unsustainable, and in 2004 the Spanish government announced that it would begin exploring more environmentally friendly water-saving technologies, such as wastewater recycling and seawater desalinization.