The contribution of national irrigation investment planning to sustainable water resource management in the Po River district

Safeguarding water resources has become a strategic need to maintain the viability of agricultural operations, which are significantly reliant on water accessibility. The urgency of this requirement is amplified by the manifest effects of climate change, necessitating the implementation of specific solutions to improve irrigation system efficiency and foster sustainable use of water resources.This research seeks to conduct an ex-post analysis of irrigation investments in the Po River Basin District, Italy's most important agricultural area and one of the most irrigated in Europe, examining their sustainability by developing indicators that include technical, environmental, and social dimensions. The analysis examines interventions devised and executed by land reclamation and irrigation consortia, primarily targeting irrigation – including multipurpose reservoirs – as well as those directed towards environmental protection and the preservation of land and agricultural productivity amid instability.Preliminary findings underscore the role of both current and prospective investments in enhancing the overall efficiency of the region. The research offers valuable insights for policymakers, affirming the critical importance of investments in irrigation infrastructure for enhancing the resilience and longterm sustainability of agriculture and the national water system.