In the preamble of the diploma, signed last Tuesday and with effect on 30 June, 2017, the Minister of Agriculture, Capoulas Santos, recalls that the 2016/1017 hydrological year was characterised by "a deficit of precipitation, with average and maximum temperatures far above normal," particularly since the beginning of spring, with heat waves for consecutive days, low ground water levels and water availability below storage averages.

In agricultural terms, the document said, "it is already clear in agricultural activities that support animal feed, forage crops and pasture, there are significant drops in productivity, so that in many situations it is expected that existing reserves will be consumed in the summer."

Capoulas Santos also noted grain losses and recalled that the lack of irrigation water has led to a reduction of areas sown with rice, corn for grain, tomato for industry, melon and potatoes.

This step now takenby the Government will allow farmers to be compensated for the losses caused by the drought.