The Alianza por el Agua has taken a step forward in its commitment to the primary sector of Ibiza and Formentera by announcing, this Thursday January 23, that Toni Tur, president of the Agricultural Cooperative of Sant Antoni, assumes the position of spokesman of the entity. This appointment, formalized during the first Board of Directors of the year, seeks to amplify the demands of the agricultural sector, severely affected by the drought, and to advance in the implementation of urgent measures to ensure access to water.
Drought and the urgent appeal of the agricultural sector
The new spokesman, Toni Tur, emphasized that the situation of the primary sector in the Pitiusas is critical, since the water shortage endangers not only the economic viability of agriculture, but also the preservation of the landscapes and biodiversity of the island. The drought, which has intensified in recent years, has led the sector to raise its voice on multiple occasions. In October 2024, the Alianza por el Agua and representatives of the agricultural sector called a press conference to demand that the municipalities and the Balearic Government adopt urgent measures to guarantee the water supply for next summer. Tur stressed that this water crisis requires immediate and coordinated action between the administrations and the social and economic sectors, recalling that water is an indispensable resource for the survival of the Pitiusan countryside.
Strategies for a more sustainable 2025
The Alliance’s Board of Directors defined the main lines of action for this year.One of the priorities will be the monitoring of the water resources situation through the Water Observatory. This body will continue to evaluate the impact of the measures implemented and to promote transparency through the Island Water Pact, a platform that brings together different stakeholders to promote dialogue and collaboration. Education and awareness-raising will also feature prominently. Programs such as Water at School, which recently won an international sustainability award, will continue to educate new generations about the importance of water care. Likewise, renewed efforts will be made to raise awareness among tourists through campaigns such as Enjoy the island, save water, which seeks to promote the responsible use of water resources among visitors. In the area of conservation, the Alliance will focus on projects such as the recovery of the calàpet (the endangered Balearic toad) and the revitalization of ses Feixes de Talamanca, an initiative promoted in collaboration with WWF. In addition, the Water and Biodiversity project will be launched, which will seek to involve citizens in the protection of the aquatic ecosystems of the Pitiusas.
A collective challenge to ensure the future
The new action plan for 2025 reinforces the role of the Water Alliance as a key player in the sustainable management of water resources in Ibiza and Formentera. The initiatives, both in education, conservation and governance, underline the importance of cooperation between institutions, associations and citizens. “Water is not only a resource, it is life for our islands,” stressed Toni Tur during his speech. In a context of climate change and increasing pressure on natural resources, the Alliance reaffirms its commitment to sustainability, recalling that the solution to the water crisis must be a collective effort to ensure the future of the Pitiusas.
