“Farming is more than a way of life”defended this Monday Rafael García, Mayor of Mutxamelthe first to speak at a round table on agriculture, where his counterparts from Aspe, Antonio Puerto, Pinoso, Lázaro Azorín and Almoradí, María Gómez.
drought, price increase from the moment the artichoke, tomato, grape or wine leaves the farmer’s hands until it reaches the consumer’s table, as well as from the water itself, the need to attract young people to the countryside or the added value of gastronomic culture were some of the topics addressed.
María Gómez highlighted the uncertainty, uncertainty that occurs in the Vega Baja region due to drought and cuts in Tajo-Segura. “Younger generations are finding it difficult to get involved because of rising prices and water problems,” Gómez said. Antonio Puerto went further: “The generational change will happen when a young person goes to the countryside and earns money, it will be profitable,” while Rafael García demanded for this generational change policies and funds that make the sector attractive.
Catering
While the mayor of Almoradí expressed her concern that if the water shortage continues, they may be forced to resort to dry wells in the south of the province – “which would be a disaster for our quality products” – the first mayor of Aspe, for her part, emphasized how water from Júcar-Vinalopó will supply 350 cubic hectometres for ten years, which is a guaranteed contribution at least for table grapes.
Still, Puerto criticized “handling on the ground”in the sense that, at least in her municipality, there is no specific protection of land for agriculture against the macro-use of photovoltaic energy.
Recognition
For his part, Lázaro Azorín explained that in the case of Pinoso, “the situation is hopeful because there is still one phase left before the arrival of water” because there is funding and a clear commitment to achieve it.
«Agriculture needs to be recognized and thankedand to thank those farming families who have supported it for generations and generations,” emphasized Azorín, who argued that agriculture is dignified.
Meanwhile, the first mayor of Mutxamel also focused on the importance of the provincial water table, where everyone came together with one voice to ask for water at an appropriate price.
Lack of solidarity
“The worst nationalism that can exist is that a community that has water does not want to give water to others,” stated Mayor Aspe, who also regretted that the four- to five-fold increase in the price of the raw material persisted from the time he left the fields until he arrived home. To this end, he demanded price control.
Lázaro Azorín also showed his pride in having a loft bank for rent; Rafael García highlighted his green corridor of the river Monnegre and its historic irrigation ditches, as an opportunity to offer a different tourism; María Gómez expressed her concern about the gradual disappearance of small farms; while Antonio Puerto demanded a national hydrographic plan.