VALVERDE (EL HIERRO), Jan. 31 (EUROPA PRESS) –
The wind storm in the El Golfo Valley has affected nine producers and a total of 22 hectares, as reported by Alpidio Armas, the president of the Cabildo of El Hierro, and Narvay Quintero, the Minister of Agriculture of the Canary Islands during their visit to the affected farmers.
Quintero announced that Agroseguro technicians will be arriving next week to assess the impact of the wind on the farms. The Government has also committed to partially cover the damages of the insured productions.
Additionally, the Canarian Government, the La Frontera City Council and the Cabildo are exploring the possibility of proposing a group insurance with specific coverage for pineapple producers in the municipality.
There is a measure, 5.2 of the Rural Development Program (PDR), now PEPAC, which could potentially cover damage to infrastructure such as walls or greenhouses, according to a note from the Cabildo.
Quintero stated, “There is already a commitment from the Government of the Canary Islands to financially assess the damage caused by the storm next Monday and Tuesday, and to compensate those who are insured.”
The Government of the Canary Islands will cover 70% of the insurance for the affected farmers while the insurance company itself will cover the remaining 30%.
“We have also committed to proposing a concrete proposal for collective insurance for tropical pineapples in collaboration with the Cooperativa de Frontera, the SAT, the Cabildo and the City Council of La Frontera,” Quintero added.
The Canary Islands already have collective insurance for bananas against various damages. Quintero expressed the intention to extend collective insurance specifically for pineapples in El Hierro.
Armas mentioned that apart from pineapples, banana trees, mango, avocado, and papaya farms have also been severely affected by the storm, resulting in significant losses of tropical fruit.
“We will be conducting a comprehensive assessment of fruit trees in Frontera. If there is damage to infrastructure, we have prepared a contingency plan to address this,” Quintero reassured.
