Santa Cruz de Tenerife 14 Feb. (Europa Press) –
The Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food Sovereignty of the Government of the Canary Islands, Narvay Quintero, together with the president of the Cabildo de La Palma, Sergio Rodríguez, has formalised a cooperation agreement on Friday aimed at enhancing and consolidating the irrigation systems of the Machuqueras and Llanos Negros in Fuencaliente. The project is valued at 1,656,400 euros, with financing sourced from the Regional Executive’s funds.
Under the terms of the agreement, the Canary Government has committed to provide a subsidy for this amount to the island corporation, allocated from the budget line for the Directorate of Work, facilitating the actions related to the storage tanks and irrigation networks designated for the mentioned vineyards.
The Insular Corporation has undertaken to implement the activities by June 30, 2026, as the latest possible date for completion. Additionally, there is an obligation to submit relevant reports regarding the actions executed within the agreement’s framework to the Ministry, as detailed by the regional department in an official statement.
Sergio Rodríguez emphasised the significance of these agreements in addressing the needs of the agricultural and livestock sectors. “We have observed the Ministry’s responsiveness to the challenges faced by the palm and the circumstances we have had to endure,” he remarked.
“This marks a continuation of efforts that are also directed at rebuilding farms impacted by volcanic eruptions, and for this to materialise, it is vital that the Government of Spain fulfills its commitments to support the recovery of public infrastructure,” Rodríguez pointed out.
Quintero mentioned that in light of the rainfall deficit and increasing instances of heatwaves, initiatives aimed at augmenting water resources are “crucial” to mitigate the impacts of drought on crop yields and the livelihoods of professionals within the sector.
He also reminded that the island will host one of the ten desalination plants for agricultural irrigation that the Government of the Canary Islands plans to acquire to tackle water supply issues for farming, representing an investment of 13.4 million euros with a total desalination capacity of 22,600 cubic metres per day.
Wineries impacted by the fire and recovery of livestock
Additionally, today, an order was signed granting a direct subsidy of 218,000 euros to the Cabildo de La Palma for the upkeep of wineries affected by the fire in July 2023.
This funding adds to the contribution of 399,061.5 euros from the island corporation, culminating in a total of 617,061.5 euros. According to estimates by the Cabildo, this amount is necessary to offset the loss of profitability resulting from the absence of grapes needed for vinification due to the fire.
Regarding livestock, a resolution was also signed for another line of aid amounting to 507,000 euros from the Executive, aimed at the recovery of the island’s livestock, which has significantly declined in recent years due to factors such as rising costs stemming from the Ukraine War and the eruption of the Tajogaite volcano.
