Hottest year since 1800 leaves mark on Italian agriculture

MILAN, ITALY - NOVEMBER 18: There is now some relief after a water crisis that hit Italy during the last year: Rain has started to fall. But, is it enough. Rainfall in 2022 was more than 30% below the average. It was a scorching year that broke all heat records since 1800, according to the National Research Center of Italy. The temperature increase was almost 1 degree Celsius (33.8 degrees Fahrenheit) higher than the calculated average over the 30 years of 1990-2020, Italy's largest public research institution has said. There has been little snow on the mountains to act as a reservoir for the summer and little water falling from the sky in other seasons, even in the early part of the current fall season. So much so that the main lakes and rivers in northern Italy are flowing well below usual levels. This is the case in Lake Garda which is 35.7% full, Lake Maggiore – filled at 35%, and Lake Como – 48.2% full, according to the Consortium Enti Regolatori dei Grandi Laghi, an official body that collects data on the water filling. Not to mention the water crisis affecting the Po, Italy's main river artery that crosses the country from west to east for more than 600 kilometers (373 miles), and the Po Valley that feeds 30% of national agricultural production. It is a bountiful food valley where wheat for pasta, cheeses such as Parmigiano Reggiano, cured meats such as Prosciutto di Parma or Culatello di Zibello, and fruit and vegetables are produced. Agriculture is the productive sector that has suffered the most from the situation. (Footage by Michele Novaga/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)