So far there are sixteen hectares affected by mildew or "black spot".

The COAGRISAN cooperative estimates that the losses affect a 30 % of the production of this campaign.

 

18.01.2021.- More than a score of export tomato farmers are seeing their livelihoods and that of their workers endangered after the appearance of mildew or black spot in their crops, to the point of being forced to start them in a campaign that has already been proving bad due to the effects of Covid-19.

Although the rains of the first week of the year have managed to increase the water reserves of the municipality of La Aldea, They have also modified the environmental conditions of tomato crops favoring the appearance of this pest.

It is a fungus that, in the face of excess humidity, poor ventilation and low temperatures, proliferates at high speed causing irreversible damage to crops. It begins by attacking the tips and tips of the plants and continues to burn the leaves, stems and fruits leaving them totally unusable.

Affected farmers, through the COAGRISAN cooperative, have contacted Agroseguro to request the valuation and compensation for these damages. But, after the visit made by the entity to an operation in which they valued the loss around the 40.000 kilos of tomato, from Agroseguro they deny the aid since it is not contemplated in the conditions of the hiring of the same.

Before the answer, the president of the COAGRISAN cooperative, Juan José de el Pino, He has addressed the Agroseguro management, as well as the Ministry of Agriculture of the Government of the Canary Islands, to try to find a solution to what could become a "ruin" and loss of income for many families in the municipality.

Del Pino explains that the lack of rain in recent years, as well as the practical shortage of winters due to high temperatures, made this fungus practically disappear: "We always want it to rain, but we cannot predict whether or not it will be possible and in what quantities, especially after what has been happening in recent years ".

“The cooperative takes all precautions and prevention measures to avoid damage to crops; we know that our livelihood depends on it, No. of aid provided for setbacks”, declares the president of COAGRISAN.

To date, the contracting of the field insurance only contemplate the damages due to viruses and those that the inclement weather causes in crops and infrastructures. For this reason, from La Aldea they request that this damage be considered as a consequence of the inclement weather.

Juan José del Pino expresses his displeasure with the situation that comes to add to the effects of Covid-19 that, probably in your opinion, will leave one of the worst harvests in memory if no action is taken.