The Spanish government has taken measures worth over two billion euros to mitigate the impact of a prolonged drought that has severely affected the country’s agricultural sector.

Spain’s water reserves are currently below 50 percent of capacity, with levels as low as 25 percent in the hardest-hit regions of Andalusia and Catalonia.

The majority of the funds, 1.4 billion euros, will be allocated to constructing new infrastructure, including desalination plants, to increase the availability of water, according to a government statement.

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An additional 784 million euros will be provided to assist farmers and ranchers who are grappling with reduced precipitation, leading to crop failures and higher livestock feed costs.

Spain’s Minister for Ecological Transition, Teresa Ribera, acknowledged the increasing frequency and intensity of droughts due to climate change, emphasizing the need to be prepared.

The announcement of the aid package comes ahead of upcoming regional, local, and national elections.

Spain is experiencing its driest start to the year since records began in 1961, with rainfall during the first four months of 2023 reaching less than half the average amount.

The national weather agency does not foresee any immediate relief, as no significant rainfall is expected in the coming weeks.

The drought has had a devastating impact on Spain’s agricultural sector, which is a major exporter of olive oil and the largest producer of fruits and vegetables in the European Union.

Olive oil production has declined by 55 percent in the current season due to the lack of rain and extreme heat. Some farmers have even decided not to plant crops, highlighting the severe consequences of the water scarcity.

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The situation has been aggravated by an early heatwave in late April, with exceptionally high temperatures across the country.

In fact, Granada recorded the highest temperature ever recorded in mainland Spain for that month.

Last year, Spain experienced its hottest year on record, and nearly 75 percent of its land is considered susceptible to desertification due to climate change, as indicated by UN figures.