The inaugural Edible Park in La Orotava features over 60 diverse species, including fruit trees, vegetables, aromatic and medicinal plants that are beginning to show their presence. This initiative is supported by 17 local residents as part of an Employment Plan from SEPE. In total, the team comprises 15 agricultural workers, 2 supervisors, and agronomist Cecilia Martinelli, who provided insights into the ongoing developments during a visit from Mayor Francisco Linares and Councillor for Training and Employment, Deisy Ramos, to assess progress. They confirmed that the harvest will be donated to the Food Bank and the twelve eco-friendly kitchens across the thirteen public educational institutions in La Orotava.
The seeds for the Canarian trees and shrubs (such as cedar, vine, and Escobón) primarily originate from the Aguamansa nursery and the tahonilla. Additionally, the variety includes coffee, lettuce, onions, peppers, spinach, broccoli, and viña (from the black listán variety, which is dominant in the region), alongside aromatic plants and 35 types of fruits ranging from citrus to temperate, tropical, and subtropical varieties. They have also explored more exotic varieties that are increasingly valued and cultivated in the Canary Islands, like the longan, a fruit popularly known as ‘Dragon Eye’, which resembles the Parchita but has a white pulp.
“We are committed to a sustainable Orotava, a comprehensive village project that will see development over the next 20 years,” stated the mayor. He specified that the aim is to create more green, rural areas and spaces akin to the edible park. To achieve this, “a million square meters of land designated for urban development will be reclassified for rustic use as per the General Planning Plan (PGO),” he promised. “We are revitalising the direction outlined in the PGO to allocate more areas like this, which were previously intended for construction, now designated for cultivation,” remarked Linares, recalling that the region was predominantly farmland 40 years ago.
The councillor did not dismiss the possibility that the park could also become a tourist attraction, “as understanding the unique characteristics of the Canary Islands requires knowledge of the types of crops that thrive due to its specific climate.”
In turn, Deisy Ramos declared that the park will serve as a nature classroom aimed at educating visitors about ecosystem services, the benefits of plants, and the significance of producing healthy food. It will also facilitate visits from schools and various community groups within the municipality.
