1. Introduction
In Italy the use of water in agriculture is essential in terms of
quantity and quality, especially in the South regions where most
crops are currently grown with irrigation. Taking into consideration the source of the water and agricultural uses for water,
irrigation has changed from being a means of obtaining higher
yields to a factor which can direct agricultural production towards
quality crops and contribute to the safeguard of an area and its
natural resources, within the new European Community Policy
framework. In arid and semiarid areas of Southern Italy, however,
factors suchas the nature of the territory,low rainfall levels during
the spring and summer months and the precarious infrastructure
of the water networks have led to a severe water short age which,in
turn, has strongly influenced the agricultural sector itself.
Demand for water in this sector has also increased yearly