SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 16 Feb (EUROPA PRESS) –
Youth in the Canary Islands will have the opportunity to access grants from the Strategic Plan of the Common Agricultural Policy (PEPAC), amounting to 100,000 euros, to establish an agricultural enterprise, as declared by the President of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo, and the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Fishing and Food Sovereignty, Narvay Quintero.
The president and the minister visited Lomo Blanco Farm on Friday, located in Icod de los Vinos, a livestock operation run by two youngsters who initially received support from the Rural Development Program (PDR) for their first installation, which has now been replaced by PEPAC.
During the meeting with Alberto and Inocencio Ruiz, owners of the family farm, Fernando Clavijo mentioned that “there is talent, aspiration, and a promising future for the primary sector, as we all rely on it every day. However, to ensure the continuity of agricultural activities, public aid is necessary, like this, co-financed by the Government of the Canary Islands, to promote the establishment of young entrepreneurs who require resources to cultivate, acquire livestock, or invest in machinery; in essence, they need a push to develop independently and secure the generational shift essential for the sector.”
During their tour of the company’s facilities, accompanied by the Livestock General Director, Andrés Díaz Matoso, Clavijo also praised the work of the two ranchers “who operate excellent facilities for dairy and cheese production, delivering a high-quality product employing modern technology.”
On his part, Narvay Quintero, the minister, detailed that the Canary Islands Executive has issued the foundations for the PEPAC subsidies this week, with a financial allocation of 128 million euros for the 2023-2027 period. They are already working on the release of different support schemes, including those aimed at facilitating the entry of youngsters into the primary sector, to be published in the coming weeks.
“Compared to the previous aid programme, the subsidy amount for young individuals has been increased from 70,000 to 100,000 euros, with the primary requisites being under 41 years of age and the development of a business plan, for which they receive advice and support, sustained during the initial years of their operations,” he stated.
“Moreover, we are dedicated to facilitating the access of all young people who have newly installed in the previous round of investment assistance in farms, also known as modernization aid, to ensure they possess equal rights to those installed in 2024 and that no one is left behind,” Quintero added.
SUCCESSORSHIP IN A NUTSHELL
Alberto and Inocencio Ruiz have assumed the reins from their now retired parents, who established the farm in 1997 with around 50 goats. Presently, they manage 160 heads of the indigenous northern Tenerife breed, from which they source the milk used in their directly sold cheese in the northern region of Tenerife.
These brothers have embraced a small farm business model, focusing on quality production, and self-managing the entire process. They produce 60% of the forage for animal feed (with a target of reaching 100%), oversee animal care, milk production, cheese making, and direct sales.
“They lay out an example of the everyday dedication needed to uphold a livestock establishment and the extensive working hours, something that should be esteemed and appreciated from outside perspectives. They are also an inspiring model for other entrepreneurs, commencing as a project led by young individuals, which has now established itself and holds prospects for growth,” remarked Minister Narvay Quintero.
