Italian Drought Causes Concern Among Farmers

      It has been recently reported that a lingering drought across the Italian peninsula has farmers wringing their hands.   Olives growers, wheat growers, and vineyard owners are among those in agriculture who are very concerned about a lack of water available to irrigate and sustain their crops.
Olive trees, the source of that dietary staple, olive oil,  are very vulnerable because of their water needs during the fruiting season.  Vines, on the other hand, can and do sustain themselves by a deep rooting system that reaches for necessary ground water supplies that sustain the growth of grape clusters.   Whereas that ag business has ample resources for annual rainfall variations, sustained drought conditions can do permanent damage, crippling finances, and eliminating any prospect for profit.
       The city of Rome has long benefited from its proximity to the Tiber River which courses through the heart of Rome.   However, just recently, its famous urban taps with continuously running water, have been shut down, a first.   Immigrant advocates say that this situation puts many homeless immigrants who depend on the free flow of water at risk.   A long term outlook is cloudy as few affordable alternatives exist.  Possible reductions in ag use could be one of many solutions examined for the short term.
     Stay tuned and pass the pizza/pasta.