The Centre Party proposes that the government should provide greater support to individuals who want to build artificial dams.
There is already an investment support, but out of the 170 million kronor available for the years 2023-2027, only 6 percent has been distributed so far, according to the party's calculations.
"There is support to be sought, but it is far too low and too complicated", says the party's environmental spokesperson Stina Larsson in a comment.
The Centre Party believes that the government should cover 80 percent of the cost of irrigation dams, compared to the current 30 percent. In addition, the party wants to double the maximum amount from the current 750,000 to 1.5 million kronor.
"Already now, groundwater levels are low after a dry spring. This risks hitting our farmers and food production when harvests shrink", says Stina Larsson.
She is therefore urging the Minister for Rural Affairs Peter Kullgren to increase the support.
"The government has had all the time to review this to strengthen our farmers ahead of dry periods, but the government has not done so."
The government has indeed done so, says Kullgren in a written comment to TT:
"We have already requested from the Commission to provide support of up to 1.6 million kronor. Thus, more than what the Centre Party proposes. We are also increasing from 30 percent to 40 percent, which is a reasonable level so that more people can benefit from the support."
