Italy's Historic Drought , Impacts Farmers , and Food Production .
Last week, Italy declared a state of emergency in five of its northern regions amid the worst drought in 70 years.
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Al Jazeera reports that Italian farmers' confederation Coldiretti estimates the drought has caused $3 billion dollars worth of damage to agriculture.
According to Italy’s agriculture ministry, a third of the national agricultural output was at risk.
While speaking to the country's parliament, the agriculture minister also warned that the situation is expected to get worse in the years to come.
Italy's northern lakes and rivers have reached historical lows after meager Alpine snowfall and nearly no precipitation in spring.
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Al Jazeera reports that Italy's northern regions produce 40% of the country's agricultural output.
The ongoing drought threatens to cut that output in half.
The government has allocated $36.5 million in emergency aid to be distributed among five regional institutions.
However, Al Jazeera reports that it may take years before those funds are distributed.
Meanwhile, the European Milk Board (EMB) has warned that dairy farms across the continent are facing an "extreme rise" in costs for energy, fertilizers and feed.
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Al Jazeera reports that Italy's water crisis is not an isolated one, with similar situations reported across the continent due to an extreme lack of precipitation.
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Al Jazeera reports that Italy's water crisis is not an isolated one, with similar situations reported across the continent due to an extreme lack of precipitation.
