The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries opened the deadline for citizens’ participation in the preparation procedure New aid plan for cherry farms affected by climate, environmental factors and fires. This program aims to alleviate the production shortfall in farms dedicated to cherry cultivation throughout the Valencian Community, caused by the constant combination of climatic, environmental and fire factors that have accumulated in recent years and constitute a serious economic loss for cherry production. agricultural companies.
Thus, the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, José Luis Aguirre, implements the commitment made to the sector following his appointment, which also covers cherry crops in the Valencian Community. In this sense, the council member pointed out that “production has decreased significantly in recent campaigns as a result of adverse climate events.” This motivated Agricultural farms face a serious loss of capital that hinders the performance of basic maintenance and improvement tasks, jeopardizes crop continuity and poses a serious risk of permanent abandonment.”.
It is worth adding that the economic fragility of farms makes it difficult to obtain agricultural insurance, “therefore Many cherry tree areas lack coverage, making the vulnerability of farms more intense.“Aguirre added.
Additionally, the councilor noted that “the high temperatures that can be recorded at the end of flowering result in poor fruit set, leaving a balance between significant losses and loss of yield should heavy rains follow in the middle of the harvest campaign.” a final production much lower than that of a normal campaignI.”
Cherry cultivation plays a fundamental role in the agricultural sector in certain regions of the Valencian Community and represents an economic engine that creates wealth and employment in the hinterland. In the case of the province of Alicante, It is a well-established agricultural activity in areas such as L’Alcoià, El Comtat, Marina Alta and Vinalopó., regions that have chained disaster campaigns in recent years. In addition to being a backbone element that promotes sustainable rural development and the protection of the environment and landscape, it is also a fundamental sector for stabilizing the population.
The process can be carried out through the Generalitat’s participation portal so that relevant individuals and organizations can submit their contributions and opinions within the specified period. The announcement was published in the Official Gazette of the Generalitat Valenciana.