SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, Dec. 15 (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Cabildo de Tenerife has awarded a grant of 250,000 euros to the flower and ornamental plants sector of the island to contribute to the economic recovery of agricultural holdings. More than 60 production companies, which generate around 3,500 direct jobs, will benefit from this subsidy.
The Association of Growers and Exporters of Flowers and Living Plants of the Canary Islands (Asocan), in which more than 60 companies producing plants and flowers of Tenerife are integrated, will be in charge of distributing the subsidies among the group of companies and producers of the Island.
The insular councilor for Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Javier Parrilla, recalled that this agricultural subsector has been one of the most affected by the economic crisis derived from the pandemic, because “although it was allowed to continue with its production activity, it was almost closed all marketing channels, which generated millions in losses “.
“This situation resulted in the paralysis of the income of farmers and agricultural companies dedicated to ornamental plants” and caused the suspension of payments and collections between suppliers and clients of the sector, thereby reducing their productive capacity and decreasing in turn, their resilience, “added the counselor.
Furthermore, unlike other economic sectors, the ornamental plants and flowers subsector did not completely shut down its production activity during the state of alarm. “It continued in operation, following the phenological cycles of the different crops at each physiological moment, applying the necessary care and treatments, for which they generated the same expenses despite the decrease in income,” noted Parrilla.
The aids, which will have a justification period until April 30, 2022, are intended to cover the expenses derived from the acquisition of inputs for the production of plants, cuttings and cut flowers and means of production (such as seeds, seedlings, phytosanitary products and fertilizers). Likewise, the expenses derived from the promotion and publicity of the subsector will be included in order to recover the demand for plants, flowers and cuttings on the island.
The subsidy reflects the expenses derived from a study of the current situation of the plant and flower greenhouses of Tenerife, which must contain the inventory of the greenhouses of the Asocan partners, as well as of the non-associated flower and plant farmers who have requested the subsidy to the association, dimensions, crops under the greenhouse, construction characteristics and materials used, type of ventilation, lighting, type of irrigation system and cultivation system.
