rigation has been a successful policy, supported by all types of governments, with a positive popular perception and continued expansion to date.

 

However, its pressure on water quantity and quality has become unsustainable in most basins.

 

The risk of not adapting to the new paradigm shift marked by the WFD, the depletion of resources, and the worsening pressures resulting from the consequences of climate change pose challenges that, if not understood and addressed, could lead to the collapse of the sector under its own weight.

 

The challenges are diagnosed, and solutions are proposed.