Tenerife record the best data employment in the primary sector in the last thirteen years, according to the data provided by the Cabildo. The insular Councilor for Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Javier Parrilla, points out that the number of Social Security affiliates increased last year by almost 8% compared to 2019, the date before the covid-19 pandemic, which which represents a total of 722 more workers.
The Island closed 2022 with a total of 10,199 primary sector workers affiliated with Social Security, which is the best employment data since 2009. The Island Councilor for Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Javier Parrilla, explains that, as stated the Canarian Statistics Institute (ISTAC), the number of affiliates has increased by almost 8% compared to 2019 (from 9,477 to 10,199).
Lower unemployment figures. The insular person in charge assures, in addition, that the Island also rregistered in 2022 the lowest unemployment figures of the last five years, with 20% fewer unemployed, going from 1,663 in December 2018 to 1,323 in December 2022. Valora Parrilla. “And in the worst world scenario, with a panorama marked by the covid-19 health crisis, food, fuel and energy inflation, and the war in Ukraine.”
Effective policies. In the counselor’s opinion, these data demonstrate “the effectiveness of the insular policies implemented since the beginning of the mandate to promote generational renewal, promote the recovery of agricultural spacessupport young talent who want to undertake, and promote employment and economic activity in rural areas”. At the same time, he considers that they are an indication that “the repeated increases in the Minimum Interprofessional Wage (SMI) that have occurred recent years have not had a negative effect on businesses and farms on the Island”.
agricultural extension. The insular director of Agriculture and Rural Development, Cayetano Silva, recalls that the Agrarian Extension Agency has been working with farmers and ranchers “to help them maintain their farms through technical support and obtaining subsidies.” In 2022, he advised, attended and guided 211 entrepreneurs and 43 companies. The Cabildo will launch in 2023 a battery of actions to continue promoting the competitiveness of the agricultural sector. The more than 200 training activities and the hiring of 13 economists stand out, who will advise farmers and ranchers free of charge to promote agricultural entrepreneurship. “These economists, who join the 20 Agrarian Extension agents, will help them obtain subsidies to guarantee the economic and technical viability of the projects and will provide support to make them more competitive,” Silva adds.
Direct grants. The Cabildo will offer direct subsidies for livestock feeding, promoting crop rotation, supporting flower and ornamental plant growers, and helping farmers’ markets. Also stands out the financial support to agricultural associations (COAG, ASAGA, AGATE and UPA), the execution of the Agrojoven project to facilitate generational change, and work on experimentation and dissemination of new technologies.
Food sovereignty. Asaga Canary Islands recognized this Friday in a statement the greater weight of vegetable productions compared to livestock production in the island’s food supply. While tropical fruits and vegetables supply practically the entire local market, in livestock, only goat meat covers more than 87% of the demand. Ángela Delgado, president of the organization, values: “Increasing local production is a challenge and a guarantee of having our own food pantry. To achieve this, it is necessary to design a firm strategy in the next agricultural policies.” Also in Tenerife.
