Sicily is grappling with an unprecedented drought that has wreaked havoc on grain fields and livestock, with damages already estimated at 2.7 billion euros ($2.92 billion) this year.
In early May, the Italian government declared a state of emergency for the southern island, unlocking funds to purchase water tanker trucks, drill wells, and renovate pumping and desalination stations. However, despite these efforts, the relentless high temperatures have only worsened the crisis.
Farmers are facing grim realities as harvests have been abandoned and concerns rise over feeding and watering livestock. \"There's no hope, because it hasn't rained since May of last year,\" said Salvatore Michele Amico, a farmer near San Cataldo in Sicily's arid interior. \"All the planted fields have been lost; there is no wheat, no barley, no oats,\" he added.
The landscape is now barren, with bare, cracked earth replacing lush fields. Rivers, ponds, and watering holes have dried up, leaving farming equipment idle and cows roaming in search of even a single blade of grass. Once known as the breadbasket of ancient Rome, Sicily's wheat harvest is projected to plummet by over 50 percent this year, according to agricultural lobby Coldiretti.
Another farmer, Beppe Palmieri, shared his struggles: \"It didn't rain this year, so we haven't harvested anything, and we can't feed or water the animals.\" Efforts to import feed are underway, but the water shortage remains \"critical.\" Palmieri highlighted the challenges in accessing water, stating, \"Certain types of tankers can't come up and provide water to the animals.\"
The ongoing drought underscores the urgent need for sustainable solutions to combat climate change and support Sicily's agricultural community.
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