Tenerife’s Cabildo has approved a €427,290 plan to modernise traditional grazing practices in Teno Rural Park. Under the RENATURMAC project, set to run from 2026 to 2028, the initiative aims to create a sustainable agroecological model for semi-extensive livestock farming.
The project focuses on integrating native flora and experimental water catchment technologies to enhance local grazing activities. The scheme will initially last 25 months, with the option to extend by a further two years if needed.
Blanca Pérez, the Councillor for Natural Resources, Sustainability, Security, and Emergencies, emphasised that the project not only seeks to protect local ecosystems but also to ensure that human activity contributes positively to conservation efforts. She highlighted the importance of using native plants to nourish local livestock, aiming to reduce reliance on imported fodder and lower carbon footprints. The initiative also looks at transforming waste, such as whey and vermiculture leachate, into biofertilisers to enrich the region’s volcanic soils.
The plan includes two main components: scientific monitoring of the green infrastructure, assessing the health of livestock and the quality of dairy products, and optimising natural resources through the installation of fog water catchers. This will help provide water for livestock in challenging areas while working towards a more circular economy within the farming community.
The overarching goal is to enhance the viability, modernity, and sustainability of living and working in Teno, aiming to retain local populations and protect its unique cultural heritage amid climate change challenges.
