Farmers and ranchers in Alicante are clear: climate change is causing a historic lack of rainfall and abnormally high temperatures, which last year led to the “destruction of dryland crops”, as their representatives explained in a meeting with the media held by the province’s delegation from the farmers’ association. Youth (ASAJA).
According to its president, José Vicente Andreu, rainfall “below average by 56 percent” and extreme heat recorded not only in summer, but “in traditionally cold months,” such as last March, “have modified the natural development of farms.” Tree flowering has progressed. The hydrological year 2023-2024 was the driest since records exist in the province of Alicante, according to Emmett’s data. The tragic flood in Valencia only illustrates, according to Alicante farmers, “the abnormal climatic instability we are experiencing in this autonomous community.”
The hydrological year 2023-2024 was the driest since records exist in the province of Alicante
From Asaga, they highlight the “notable lack of management of water resources by the central government,” and the lack of “a comprehensive plan to address climate change and adequate and regular cleaning of rivers and canals.” Added to these problems are the reduction carried out by the Segura Hydrographic Union in the midst of winter vegetable cultivation in Vega Baja, and the high incidence of pests and diseases, among which are the famous thrips in South Africa. Which led to the destruction of citrus, grapes, pomegranates and other crops.
Andrew considers it “urgent” to implement “a surprise plan to save dryland agriculture in the province of Alicante”, which is worth it “not only for its economic value, but also for the social and environmental value of agriculture and dry farming”. “
Visit to the wine farm in May 2024.
The devastation caused by drought has been particularly serious for cereals, with the 2023/24 “practically zero” campaign, but it has also intensively affected “almond trees, cherry trees, grape trees and olive trees, which survive under minimal conditions and produce the world’s “It shakes the sector as a whole.” Another impact of the drought was the smaller size of fruits and vegetables: “Providing water is necessary during the summer months so that lemons gain a larger size, such as the size of almonds.”
Asaga also draws attention to the devastating campaign suffered by citrus growers in Alicante, where more than 150,000 tons of lemons were not harvested. “Prices that have reached rock-bottom levels – sometimes less than 0.15 euros per kilo – due to market imbalance, have caused a terrible crackdown that has led producers to abandon them because they are not even able to cover the costs.” There were farms in San Miguel de Salinas that opened the way for their neighbors to obtain lemons for free, “of exceptional quality.”
Citrus crunch
There were farms in San Miguel de Salinas that opened the way for their neighbors to take lemons for free.
Asaga reiterates his criticism of “excessive bureaucracy” that slows down projects, and of European policy “that takes decisions outside the reality of the sector.” They call on the European Union to ensure “Europe’s food chain law with a clause explicitly stating that it cannot be sold for less than production costs and restricting trade agreements with third countries.”
According to Andrew, the agreement with Mercosur, which farmers do not reject in principle, symbolizes, if it is maintained in the proposed terms, “the little importance that Brussels attaches to our essential sector, which is subject to severe sanctions due to imports and the entry of pests from third countries.” “.
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Bottom line, relative to other crops, this month’s grape campaign was “good, respectable due to the weather”, with 2 million kilos sold “just on New Year’s Eve” for a total production of 47 million kilos. However, for wine, it was “the smallest crop in history”, although the quality of the crop was excellent.
As for the olive grove, “there was little to no harvest,” the mountain cherry had accumulated six bad seasons and “needed an urgent plan,” and the almond tree was “in serious danger from weather and pests.”
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