ABSTRACT
This chapter exemplifies some aspects of much more generalized processes of social and economic change in Southern Europe associated with the penetration of capitalist social relations into agriculture and the changing character of agricultural production. The Catalan parliament has passed as a priority measure the ‘Minitrasvase’ project for carrying water from the Ebro basin to the Tarragona area. This will benefit industrial users of water much more than agricultural users. The financing has been made possible through other activities undertaken by the farmers, such as small poultry farms or the sale and leasing of plots to the tourist sector, or even small savings derived from the agricultural activities. The initial cost of procuring water rights in the pantano is very high, especially if one wants to guarantee a given supply when levels are low, but for some well-off farmers it assures an abundant supply and a safe way of investing some of their savings.
