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In 2016, the total agricultural area equipped for irrigation (irrigable area) in the EU[1] was 15.5 million ha (Table 1). However, the area actually irrigated (irrigated area) was lower, reaching 10.2 million hectares (ha). In fact, no country reported that all the irrigable areas had been irrigated.

The extent of irrigated area itself does not allow a statement on the actual amount of water used. Water efficiency in irrigation, as well as groundwater depletion in irrigated areas, also needs to be monitored and addressed, but is outside the scope of this fact sheet.

Irrigable and irrigated agricultural areas vary greatly among countries mainly because of regional climate and type of production. Full irrigation is needed in many types of agricultural production of southern European countries

ISO 19115:2003/19139

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