The Island Council of Tenerife, via the Primary Sector division, is launching a new campaign for product valorisation during this chestnut harvesting season, aimed at assisting farmers linked to these agricultural systems who face the annual issue of chestnut thefts at this time of year.
In Tenerife, approximately 1,374 hectares of chestnut trees have been identified, with 75% situated predominantly in the areas of Acentejo, Valle de La Orotava, and Valle de Güímar. Various varieties found across several municipalities include Arafera, Castagrande, Corujera, Culochico, De Pata, De Sala, Del Haya, Donosa, Grande, Mansa, Matancera, Mollar, Mulata, Negro, Pico Claro, Picuda, Piñera, Polegre, Redonda, and Temprana. At least twenty native varieties can be found on the Island.
The Primary Sector councillor, Valentín González Évora, states, “Farmers report that during the harvesting season, thefts occur in certain areas, potentially because passersby see the fruits on the ground; however, this does not signify that these areas are neglected.”
Moreover, the low rainfall experienced throughout 2024 will impact the harvesting of chestnuts, particularly in the southeastern regions, which are the first to enter the markets. Consequently, the Cabildo emphasises that these trees are not forest trees, but are predominantly privately owned.
This initiative aims to diligently safeguard this year’s production and to ensure that farmers can maximise the yield from their chestnut trees.
Domingo Ríos Mesa, head of the Technical Service of Agriculture and Rural Development, also notes that this crop is not gathered directly from the tree; rather, “the chestnuts are collected by farmers from the ground, making it common to see them lying there due to this collection method,” further elaborating on the comments made by the Primary Sector councillor.
This campaign has garnered support from the municipalities of Los Realejos, La Orotava, Santa Úrsula, La Victoria de Acentejo, La Matanza de Acentejo, El Sauzal, Tacoronte, Tegueste, Güímar, Arafo, Candelaria, El Rosario, and San Cristóbal de La Laguna, which have united in recognising this product for its significant traditional, cultural, and biodiversity value within our landscape.
Over 1.5 million for the restoration of the chestnut agrosystem
The Primary Sector councillor highlighted the allocation of 1,667,136 euros for the restoration of the chestnut agrosystem, which was notably impacted by the wildfire during the summer of 2023. “This initiative will take place between this year and 2027,” he explained, adding that “recovery is a complicated process, through which we aim to replace chestnut trees and restore agricultural plots, among other objectives.”
