The persistent drought, caused by the lack of rainfall, is further exacerbating the situation in a sector that has been facing difficulties for many years. In the past month, the sector gained greater visibility due to protests by farmers across Spain demanding improvements for the field. These protests culminated in a historic tractor rally in Madrid yesterday.
However, the lack of generational change, scarcity of hydraulic infrastructure, and a significant increase in the incidence of the Tecia solanivora plague, commonly known as the Guatemalan moth, have created a bleak scenario in San Juan de la Rambla. As per the crop map for the Cabildo of Tenerife, the abandonment of cultivated area was nearly 50% in 2021. This percentage is currently even higher, according to Javier González Ruiz, the secretary of the Icod de los Trigos-San Juan de la Rambla Rural Development Association.
González explains, “There are decreasing numbers of farmers who plant, resulting in a year-on-year decrease in potato production and cultivated area, especially for colored or pretty potatoes, which were traditionally grown as dryland crops in the upper medians of the municipality.”
According to their data, there are currently no more than 20 active potato farmers in the municipality, with an average age of close to 57 years. The younger generation is hesitant to pursue this activity due to the numerous challenges associated with it.
For irrigated potatoes, the number reaches about 50 farmers. The situation is complicated as the tuber requires more water, and the ponds are practically empty. Additionally, the quality of the purchased water by the Cabildo is poor, requiring mixing due to high conductivity, as pointed out by González.
“Many traditional hydraulic infrastructures, such as the pits, were abandoned with the emergence of Balten in the 1980s, which started to replace them. These newer irrigation networks require maintenance, which in many cases has not been carried out,” he explains.
González stresses the importance of research, stating that climate change is a reality that these crops must adapt to. He insists that researchers should conduct trials with dryland potatoes.
Due to these factors, potato production this year is expected to decrease by 70% to 80%, a concern shared by Oliver Reyes, a prominent potato producer in San Juan de la Rambla.
“We are fortunate to have the Vergara gallery, but we must ensure a steady stream throughout the year for irrigation. However, even with water availability, high temperatures cause plants to require more water,” Reyes explains.
Adverse Impact on Cultivation Conditions
“This year, the typical ‘donkey belly’, which lowers the temperature and maintains humidity, is absent. If the current temperature persists, growing potatoes this year will be quite challenging,” Reyes emphasises.
Despite being 40 years old, Reyes admits that he had contemplated retirement as a farmer but is reconsidering due to the critical situation.
Preserving Genetic Material through a Seed Bank
The Icod de los Trigos-San Juan de la Rambla Rural Development Association has proposed establishing a seed bank for colored potatoes to preserve valuable genetic material, in addition to the ongoing conservation efforts by the Tenerife Agricultural Biodiversity Conservation Center (CCBAT).
