Southern Sicily Faces Devastating Drought: Farmers Struggle to Sustain Livestock

The Struggles of Southern Sicily Amidst Severe Drought

As tourists indulge in refreshing granitas beneath the shade of vibrant hibiscus trees and frolic in the inviting waters of the Mediterranean Sea, a stark contrast unfolds in the farmlands of southern Sicily. Here, amidst scorched hillsides that evoke the image of barren desert dunes, a weary farmer, Lorenzo Iraci Sareri, watches helplessly as his cows are led away to the slaughterhouse. After enduring months of relentless drought, he finds himself without the essential water and food to sustain them.

“It’s devastating,” Lorenzo admits, his voice trembling as tears stream down his sun-kissed face, etched with the lines of 40 years spent tending to his herd. “I have never witnessed anything like this before.”

This plight is not isolated; vast regions of southern Italy, along with parts of Greece and southeastern Spain, are grappling with one of the most severe droughts in decades. Experts warn that the situation has been exacerbated by the rising temperatures linked to climate change, creating a dire combination of factors that threaten both livestock and agriculture.

The once-reliable artificial basins, which provided a vital source of water for animals, now lie empty, revealing only cracked earth. Fields of wheat, which should be lush and golden, feature stunted ears that are small and hollow, indicative of the harsh conditions. Even Pergusa Lake, a central feature of a natural reserve in Sicily, has been reduced to a pale, dry crater, starkly illustrating the region’s water crisis.

• A water tank for cows in Leonforte, Sicily, stands as a grim reminder of the drought’s impact.
• With limited food and water resources, many farmers are being forced to send their livestock to slaughter.
• Lorenzo Iraci Sareri’s heartfelt statement encapsulates the despair felt by many: “I have never seen something like this.”