After the extreme drought in Italy has already forced people to ration their drinking water, an Italian delicacy is now also in danger. Because farmers are also feeling the effects of the drought, reports “CNN”.
According to the country’s largest farmers’ association, Coldiretti, the drought is threatening more than 30 percent of the country’s agricultural production and half of the Po Valley’s livestock. Many of the cattle there produce the milk that is processed into the Parmigiano Reggiano typical of this region. But production is now in danger due to the drought.
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Simone Minelli’s dairy farm on the banks of the river near Mantua has also been affected. He depends on water to feed his herd of 300 Friesian cattle. If his animals do not drink between 100 and 150 liters of water every day, or if they are overheated, the milk does not meet the strict standards required to give the cheese the coveted seal of quality.
In addition, the feed of the cattle is threatened. Minelli uses the water from the Po mainly to irrigate the plants he feeds his cattle. Some of its fields have already dried up. He is concerned about the water restrictions as he watches the Po continue to drop. Buying feed is also difficult. Other farmers therefore have similar problems.
Italy is suffering from the most severe drought in decades, many rivers such as the Po have had the lowest water levels in more than 70 years. Another consequence of the drought: Electricity generation from hydropower fell significantly. Hydroelectric power plants are mainly found in the mountains in the north of the country. They typically provide almost a fifth of the electricity needed in Italy.
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