Systems of the Duero River Basin Cega-Eresma-Adaja and Tordesillas-Toro (Spain) Geographical

The Duero River Basin Authority (CHD) is the body responsible for water management in the Duero River Basin, implementing measures outlined in the A.G.U.A. program (Actions for Water Management and Use; www.chduero.es/). The Duero NEL includes the Cega-Eresma-Adaja (CEA) and Tordesillas-Toro (T; Lower Duero) systems, covering an area of 4,986 km² and 7,488 km², respectively. It is located in the central-northern part of the Iberian Peninsula and belongs to the autonomous community of Castilla y León. Each of these systems includes between 10 and 30 municipalities.
The CEA is composed of two adjacent sub-basins: the Eresma and Adaja sub-basin, which represents 67% of the total area, and the Cega-defined sub-basin, which comprises 33%. The first is regulated in the upper river network (Las Cogotas reservoir), but the Cega is still unregulated. The climate is Mediterranean semi-arid, with an average temperature of 12.6 ± 7.3 °C (mean ± standard deviation) and annual precipitation of 387.8 ± 84.3 mm (www.chduero.es/). Severe drought periods during the summer months have been frequent over the last decade, decreasing water resources between 10.1% and 25% and increasing concerns about water availability (CHD, 2021). The rural area is depopulated (less than 10 people/km²); the population has moved to nearby cities or the Spanish coast since the 1960s, although the Plan for the Modernization of Irrigation Systems (in the 21st century) has mitigated this trend (INE, 2020).
The average age of farmers is over 50, although the Rural Development Plan (PDR) (2014-2020) has encouraged the incorporation of young farmers. Currently, the average population of the villages ranges between 200 and 400 people. Consequently, there are some problems related to rural health centers and primary schools for children. Additionally, the possibility of attracting new residents is reduced by the limited Internet access. Subsequent PDRs have increased the role of rural women, and today, there is at least one Association of Rural Women in each province. The modern generation of farmers has secondary education, and some have agricultural knowledge certified by university degrees or professional courses.

However, landowners are from the older generation, which often limits the younger generation's decisions regarding innovative agricultural practices. The PDR of Castilla y León (2014-2020) has strengthened the agricultural sector and its processing industry, sustainable agriculture and forestry, and economic activities in the villages. The program has created new small businesses such as: onion cooperatives, sugar beet cooperatives, horticultural product cooperatives (carrots, potatoes, turnips, parsnips, swedes, scallions, and leeks); forage, meat, and genetic cooperatives for pigs; strawberry plant nurseries; etc. The average gross domestic product in T is about €24,000/year, and in CEA, profitability averages €300/ha. Agricultural cooperatives are a key productive sector, with a turnover of €2.566 billion, generating over 3,500 jobs throughout the Duero Basin. Farmers rely on funds from the European Agricultural Policy (PAC), which is renewed every 5 years. The PAC establishes a basic payment of rights (historical rights) aimed at supplementing farmers' incomes and, therefore, stabilizing the population in rural areas. Additionally, there are other funds for the cultivation of legumes and stone fruits (almonds, pistachios) and funds for ecosystem preservation (Common Agricultural Policy PAC | Junta de Castilla y León (jcyl.es)). In total, all funds represent €150/ha and €370/ha for dryland and irrigated agriculture, respectively. The PAC will be modified in 2022. Additionally, there are funds from the Autonomous Community of Castilla y León and the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, such as: for sugar beet cultivation (€1,000/ha), aimed at subsidizing its cultivation to save the sugar industry; €26/kg to maintain fallows; for almonds, pistachios, and other stone crops, as well as for organic products. There is also an emerging activity in rural tourism. Sugar beet is an important crop in the area, although it is not profitable and its water requirements are very high (almost double that of maize). Its price is set by law each year.
There are two large and powerful sugar beet associations (AIMCRA and ACOR) that received European funds to maintain the crop and subsidiary sugar factories. The other main crops are maize and cereals (wheat and barley). Within a global economy, extensive crops in the area are not competitive. The cost of fertilizers is high, as are seeds. In 2021, fertilizers increased by 200%, and most are not produced in Spanish factories, which increases the cost and, at times, reduces availability. The large company FERTIBERIA supplies most fertilizers, and today, due to the global situation, some are lacking. Farmers cannot choose genetically modified seeds (maize), while other competitors can (Americans), so their products cannot be fairly marketed, causing general discontent. The rural population seeks short-term profit. Most are against environmental policies such as controlling fertilizer doses and burning stubble, as it implies an increase in their expenses. In CEA, sandy soils cover more than 54% of the area, implying medium-high infiltration rates of groundwater flow from streams and groundwater recharge. In T, loamy clay and loamy sandy soils predominate.

Authors: Leonor Rodriguez Sinobas, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Spain Illiasou Naroua, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Spain

To cite this document: Rodríguez Sinobas, L., Naroua, I. 2022. Document 2 – Systems of the Duero River Basin Cega-Eresma-Adaja and Tordesillas-Toro (Spain). NEXUS Water-Energy-Environment: fair and sustainable agri-food systems. Delivery D3.1. H2020 PRIMA NEXUS-NESS Project. https://prima-nexus-ness.org