Addressing the environmental problem

The cultivation of rice has been characterized by the Government as particularly water-bearing, while the project area (Axis Delta) is part of the NATURA 2000 areas. Therefore, the rational management of the irrigation water provided by the Axios river and the avoidance of practices of unnecessary use of it , protect natural water reservoirs.

The reduced use of water reduces the chances of leaching of nitrates or other agrochemicals into adjacent bodies of water, such as the sea, underground aquifers, etc. According to research by the University of Patras, in the coming years due to climate change in Greece, a decrease in rainfall by 5-9 is expected % and an increase in temperature by 3-4.5oC, with an adverse effect on agriculture as well.

According to the data of the Chalastra-Kalochori water treatment plant, for the irrigation of 1 hectare of rice for a period of 100 days, approximately 1200m3 is consumed, while in the KYA Φ166631/1989 the limits are specified as 1122-1344m3 of water/year. Therefore, a total of 286,600,800 m3 of water is consumed to irrigate the 238,834 hectares (YPAAT 2020) of rice in the CM. Any variation in drought will result in severe restrictions with changes in rice irrigation management.

SISRICE with the application of sensors and an automated information system is expected to ensure better water management and lead to a reduction of approximately 10% of water consumed/year.