The scene unfolded in Fondarella, near Lleida, as farmers organized a bold, coordinated mobilization. Tractors lined the roadside along the A-2, traffic halted since early morning while more than 100 protesters gathered. About 1,500 agricultural vehicles formed a rolling convoy, expressing their intent to stay on the road overnight with trailers, plows, and machinery ready for action. By mid-morning, they prepared to move toward Barcelona, aiming to reach the city around late afternoon. The message from Damià Areny, a member of Platform 6F, was clear: those in government must listen to the concerns of the farming community.
Upon arriving in the Catalan capital, the tractors were set to halt in strategic spots: in front of central government offices on Passeig de Gràcia, along Mallorca street, near the Palau de la Generalitat, and at Plaza de Sant Jaume. President Pere Aragonès had announced plans to meet the delegation, along with Climate Action Minister David Mascort. Organizers anticipated a large turnout, with more than a thousand tractors from Lleida and around 3,000 farmers expected to join from other regions. Public support grew, with Girona residents signaling their backing, and additional vehicles from nearby areas expected to join the march. One protester who had blocked the AP-7 highway in Sant Julià de Ramis planned to head for the capital after a night on the road.
The first day of protests triggered strong reactions from both organizers and participants. Estimates from Unió de Pagesos, a supporting union, suggested nearly 4,000 tractors took part, stretching from the Pyrenees to the Ebro delta. In addition to the main groups mentioned, mobilizations also crossed AP-7 near L’Aldea in Baix Ebre, impacting traffic in central Catalonia as well as Vallès and Penedès. About 200 tractors gathered in Vilafranca and nearby Banyeres de Penedès, with similar actions reported across the Pyrenees and Terres de l’Ebre.
Local authorities and regional leaders expressed varied levels of support. Several mayors, themselves farmers, joined the chorus alongside officials from the Generalitat. A spokesperson for the government, Patricia Plaja, conveyed a message of empathy toward the protesters while noting the need for a resolution at higher governmental levels, ideally addressing state or European channels. The government emphasized that agriculture in Catalonia should compete on equal terms with imports, signaling a willingness to engage, even as it cautioned that the issue requires broader, long-term solutions.
Review of the drought plan
Catalan farmers highlighted the impact of a recent drought emergency that affected inland basins, leaving irrigation supplies short and causing significant strain on crop yields. They called for a reevaluation of the drought response plan to ensure the agricultural sector is not disproportionately penalized. As one statement described, the current framework fails to adequately support farming operations during extreme weather conditions, underscoring the need for practical, timely aid and adaptive water management.
The same document criticized the Generalitat for delays in delivering aid to drought-affected farmers in 2023, arguing that some crops never received promised support. Martí Costal, a producer from Jafre and spokesman for JARC, framed the situation as unfair to producers who rely on robust logistics and supply chains. He pointed out a stark disparity: farmers face an 80% water constraint, while industrial users contend with a 25% limit, a gap that strains crops and deliveries for more than a year.