Agricultural Irrigation Water for Fuerteventura
The Canary Islands government will increase agricultural irrigation water by 2,500 m³ per day with a new desalination plant in Fuerteventura.
New desalination plant
The regional Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food Sovereignty, Narvay Quintero, and the President of the Fuerteventura Island Council, Lola García, visited the new desalination facility on Saturday, 6 September. The plant, located at the Desalination Station of Sea Water (EDAM) in Gran Tarajal, is slated to begin operations at the end of the month and will produce 2,500 m³ of water daily for agricultural use.
Developed by the Canary Islands Technological Institute (ITC) and recognised for its energy‑efficient desalination technology, the installation represents an investment of roughly €1.6 million. It is part of a regional plan to provide the islands with ten new desalination plants, a total investment of €13.4 million.
The delegation was accompanied by:
- Andrés Díaz Matoso, Director General of Livestock
- Adargoma Hernández, Island Minister of Water, Education, Youth, Primary Sector and Waste
- Candelaria Umpiérrez, Mayor of Tuineje
- Francisco Hormiga, Manager of the Fuerteventura Water Supply Consortium (CAAF)
Funding and broader infrastructure
The plant is financed through the Rural Development Programme (PDR), using funds from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), regional budget contributions, and a €70,000 contribution from the Island Council for installation works.
In addition to the desalination plant, the Canary Islands government will allocate €10.85 million to irrigation networks and infrastructure on the island. This includes:
- €1.6 million for the Gran Tarajal desalination plant
- €9.25 million for “Accessory Works of the Modernisation and Improvement Project for Irrigation in the Central‑South Zone of Fuerteventura, covering the municipalities of Tuineje and Pájara”
These works will be carried out under a joint agreement between the Island Council (through CAAF) and the State Agricultural Infrastructure Company (SEIASA). The overall project, exceeding €13 million, will benefit 289 irrigators cultivating 152 hectares.
Official statements
“The new desalination plant will be complemented by upgrades to the central‑south water network to meet the needs of Fuerteventura’s farmers amid water scarcity,” said Minister Narvay Quintero.
“For the second consecutive year, the Canary Islands government has granted extraordinary aid to mitigate the effects of drought across the archipelago. Combined with last year’s measures, this totals €7.9 million to immediately support more than 3,000 affected producers,” Quintero added.
“The Island Council plans and accelerates projects that improve agricultural water supply in Fuerteventura, fulfilling one of the primary sector’s main demands,” emphasized President Lola García. “This desalination plant stands out for its energy efficiency thanks to the work of the ITC.”
Impact
The new facility will increase the volume of water available for irrigation, helping to sustain agricultural production on an island that faces chronic water shortages. The combined investment in desalination and irrigation infrastructure aims to secure the livelihoods of local farmers and enhance the resilience of Fuerteventura’s primary sector.