The Cabildo de Tenerife guaranteed yesterday that farmers will not pay more for irrigation water despite the rise in costs, given that they will be assumed by the Corporation with the energy balance plan for almost 500,000 euros. This was advanced by the president of the Cabildo, Pedro Martín, and the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Javier Parrilla, who also influenced the investment of 1.5 million in renewable energies to reduce the rise in the cost of electricity.
The manager of Balten, Ana Sánchez, in turn highlighted the “commitment” of the Cabildo to protect resources in the midst of the “energy crisis” and highlighted the deployment of reclaimed water as the main source of irrigation for farmers on the Island. , also pointed out that more will be invested in digital meters and telemanagement to avoid water losses and in the improvement of the reclaimed water transport network from Santa Cruz de Tenerife to Valle San Lorenzo.
Likewise, Parrilla indicated that the water supply for this winter is guaranteed, despite the fact that the winter is being very dry and the ponds, on average, are at 58% capacity.
Martín, who presented the accounts of the Department of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries for next year, pointed out that it is the highest budget in history, with 26.5 million, 3% more than the previous year and in a context that “it is not easy” due to the slowdown in the economy.
The insular president highlighted that he barely has a million euros less than tourism within a commitment to a “strategic” sector, not so much for its contribution to GDP, but as an “alternative” to the service sector and to avoid increasing the dependence on foreign countries, with consumption approaching 90%. And the maintenance of the activity happens, in Martín’s opinion, to achieve “quality water and at reasonable prices”. At this point, he stressed that they are working together with the State, with an investment of 200 million, to improve the network and create five purification systems.
MORE THAN FOUR MILLION FOR BALTEN
The Minister of Agriculture explained that the budget reserves 10.1 million for investment, among which 4.8 million stand out for Balten, 1.5 million for the improvement of agricultural roads and another 1.5 million for the construction of the agricultural market of the northeast, which will be located in Tejina, within the municipality of La Laguna, “with which we will respond to a historical claim in this area of Tenerife,” Parrilla added.
He also highlighted the investment of 650,000 euros for its own demonstration and experimental farms.
Likewise, the accounts reserve 4.7 million for direct aid to the primary sector, one million for animal welfare, 1.4 million for the acquisition of the majority of the shares of the Insular Slaughterhouse and 332,000 euros for the insular potato plan, with the objective, among others, of exporting black potatoes to the Peninsula. For the promotion of Livestock there are 3,135,511 euros, an amount, which, declared the counselor, doubles that of 2021.
