2024-08-13 08:22:32
“Agriculture in Lower Austria has a particularly important responsibility for ensuring the food supply security of the entire Austria,” Lower Austria Deputy Member of Parliament Stephan Pernkopf emphasizes. “To ensure supply even in periods of drought, the country is investing in agricultural irrigation and rainwater management, such as cisterns. More than 100,000 hectares of arable and fruit fields are equipped with agricultural irrigation facilities. Now, 2.4 million euros are being invested in Groß -Two new irrigation schemes in Enzersdorf and Spitz an der Donau.
In the municipality of Groß-Enzersdorf, 53 oil field wells are being converted from diesel pumps to electric operation at a total investment of more than 1.2 million euros, with support from the state, federal government, the European Union and the “ARGE Electrification Feldbrunnen Franzensdorf and surrounding area”. This saves diesel and protects the environment. A total of around 1,230 oil wells in Lower Austria (mainly in Marchfeld) have been electrified in recent years, saving more than 2 million liters of diesel per year.
In Spiez an der Danube, the existing vineyard irrigation system will be expanded by 40 hectares, with an investment of more than 1.2 million euros. As part of the scheme, a new well will be built and the irrigation system expanded to use drip irrigation to distribute water in a targeted and economical way.
“A total of 50 million euros have been invested in irrigation schemes over the past ten years. By 2026, a further 20 million will flow into the water supply of agricultural areas. Particular attention is paid to maintaining the volume of water in the area through cisterns and balancing irregular water demands ,” Pernkopf explained. There are examples of cisterns in Waldkirchen an der Thaya and Hausleiten; cistern systems are under construction or in preparation for construction at Stetteldorf and Heidenreichstein. Plans are currently underway in Lower Traisental, Wölbling, Weißenkirchen, Angern an der March, Schönberg am Further irrigation projects are planned in areas such as Kamp and Haringsee. Lower Austria was able to adopt irrigation measures because of its good water supply. “Lower Austria has enough groundwater to supply high-quality drinking water. At the same time, we can also provide water for agriculture,” the deputy said.
Further information was provided by press spokesman LH-Deputy DI Jürgen Maier. PhD. Stephan Pernkopf, phone +43 2742 9005 – 12704, mobile +43 676 812 15283, email: lhstv.pernkopf@noel.gv.at
Original OTS press release, the sender is solely responsible for the content – WWW.OTS.AT | NLK
1723537681
#Agricultural #irrigation #reservoirs #expanded
