Why support the olive tree in the Canary Islands?

Matías Suárez Romero.
Owner of Finca Los Barros.

This text contains a series of arguments and reflections on the importance of the olive tree in the Canary Islands, that come to justify the need for, in the design of the new instrument of the Posei, join this crop as a beneficiary of this support framework.

The arguments and reflections that justify the support for the olive tree within the Posei are the following. The first question to review is that, today, olive cultivation is supported in continental Europe, so it seems fair that it also relies on outermost Europe.

A second important question refers to the role to be played by the olive tree in the Canary Islands., where it can become the main cultivation alternative. In the Canary Islands, most export crops (banana, tomato, cucumber, pepper, etc.) they are found in the flat areas and therefore in the lower elevations, up to 200 m altitude.

The olive, However, is planted on the heights of 200-800 m altitude, mostly in the midlands; This crop would serve as a maintainer of these important areas for our islands, contributing to the fertility of these farmlands., landscape, the built heritage and conserving the demographic weight of these areas. The field is much more than a matter of deficit or GDP.

Regarding the green orientation that the European Commission wants to give to crops, prioritizing the most environmentally friendly systems, it should be noted that the olive tree in the Canary Islands does not have significant pests, with what can be grown in organic which is the present and the future of our agriculture. In addition, olive cultivation would fix population in these rural areas of the Islands.

Would contribute to the “no erosion”, since it is a rustic tree that does not need a lot of water and that can be planted in abandoned fields and with a certain slope, would create landscape, would contribute to crop diversification and, Therefore, to increase the level of self-consumption and food sovereignty of the Islands. Also note that the small farmer would be the most benefited if he opts to support this crop within the framework of the Posei, because, in these rural areas, the plot of land is highly atomized.

There is a historical component to olive cultivation in the Canary Islands. It has been cultivated for more than 400 years. This has resulted in an olive grove culture and important know-how. It should also be noted that we have a variety of olive (Verdial de Huevar) What, for the years he has been in the Islands, has acclimatized (Verdial Canaria) and produces a very high quality and differentiated olive.

It is however in the latter 10 years when this crop has had a greater expansion throughout the Islands. Creating expectations in the Canarian countryside that have not been perceived for many years. Today, under the protection of this crop, is being created, in most of the Islands, a transformation industry (olive oil mills and packaging) with a lot of future, which is creating employment both in the field and in the processing industries.

I consider that this crop has clear growth possibilities, as evidenced by the proliferation of olive and oil mill crops throughout the Islands.. In Gran Canaria there are: 4 oil mills in Agüimes, 2 in Saint Lucia, 1 in Ingenio and 2 in Telde. On the island of Tenerife: 1 in Granadilla de Abona, 2 Arico, 1 in La Laguna and 1 in Puerto de la Cruz. In Fuerteventura: 5 between Tuineje and Antigua. On La Palma 1. The Lanzarote council is about to install another. And in La Gomera there is an individual who will also install another industry for next year. Almost all the islands are excited about this crop.

This is an emerging agricultural subsector that will provide the field of technological modernization and added value. So that this growth dynamic is maintained and increased, We need institutional support, as occurs in developed societies that clearly support their agricultural heritage. We have to properly treat all agricultural subsectors, with a decided commitment from our administrations. Agro-livestock activities must be dignified from a social and cultural point of view but also from an economic point of view.

Taking into account the aspects referred to here in relation to the growing economic and social importance of this crop, its environmental suitability, its historical and cultural roots, and the fact that it is a very valid option to develop rural areas that need new economic engines, it is considered essential that, in the new Posei framework, a support line is established for this crop.