Additionally, they underscore the lack of generational replacement which will cause a gap in knowledge that will be difficult to get over.
Fruit Today Magazine talked to Adolfo García, the Manager of Camposeven, about the most important challenges for Spanish farmers.
Why is water, particularly in Murcia,causing concern, and how do you think this will affect the future?
Eastern Spain, Almeria and Murcia in the winter, are the main vegetable suppliers in Europe. If Eastern Spain does not produce in the winter, there will be no vegetables in Europe.
The fact that there is no precise, certain water policy for the entire Spanish territory is a limiting factor. It is difficult to understand why our politicians are not clear about this idea, whichever party they belong to.
Desalination is a complementary alternative, but it can never become a replacement for natural water sources, such as rainfall and rivers, along with the distribution of these resources all over Spain.
This insecurity also affects the generational replacement: young people no longer see farming as their livelihood. If the new generations leave this sector, which today is a leader worldwide, it will take a great deal to get over this gap and above all the loss of knowledge will be seriously restricting.
Taking the topic of the drought into account, how do you expect the next winter campaign to proceed?
At the moment, there is complete uncertainty; the farmers are planting, acquiring seeds, the seedbeds are under way, but nothing is clear. If there is no clear guarantee of water, the losses, both economic and in terms of jobs,are going to be record-breaking. Even so, I am confident that the problems will be solved.
Are there any new developments at Camposeven?
We are trying to produce outside our natural area to bring the campaigns forward and to have continuity when the crops end here in Campo de Cartagena. The aim is to reach the markets earlier, growing at different altitudes, to have greater presence and give a better service.
Which productions are involved?
Basically, broccoli, different types of leafy produce (lettuces, curly endives, etc.) and celery. Our farmer associates logically produce these products, but at different times of year. We are also planting new mandarin orchards. And we will incorporate avocado as a new product in the near future.
