Rioja
In the weekly space ‘A pie de Campo’ we analyze the European Green Deal, also known as Green Deal. Allende Martínez, head of the space, explains that the European Green Deal “is presented as a key strategy launched by the European Union in 2019 to address the continent’s climate and environmental challenges. This initiative aims to turn Europe into the first neutral continent in carbon by 2050, betting on an economy that integrates cleaner technologies and guarantees a just transition”. This pact is having a profound impact on Spanish agriculture, a sector that is facing significant changes due to strategies such as ‘Farm to Fork’ and the ‘Biodiversity Strategy 2030’. Both approaches, points out Martínez, “propose the creation of more sustainable food systems, affecting not only farmers, but the entire agri-food sector in the country.”
Reduction of pesticides and fertilizers
Among the main effects of these strategies, the goal of reducing the use of pesticides by 50% and the use of chemical fertilizers by 20% by 2030 stands out. These measures force farmers to adopt more sustainable production methods, something that technical engineering agricultural, represents “a drastic transformation in the way farms are managed. We are facing a revolution that needs to be accompanied by adequate training and incentives for producers.”
Promotion of organic farming
Another of the pillars of the Green Deal is the promotion of organic farming, with the objective that 25% of the agricultural area in the European Union be organic by 2030. “Farmers need greater financial support to adapt to the demands of this type of crops,” says Martínez. According to the engineer, this change “requires an investment in technology, training and creating a network that allows the marketing of these products at a fair price.”
In addition, the Green Deal seeks to protect 30% of lands and seas, restoring degraded ecosystems and promoting agricultural practices that conserve biodiversity. “It is not just about producing food, but about doing so respecting the natural environment,” highlights Allende Martínez. “Biodiversity is a key factor in ensuring the long-term resilience of our agricultural systems.”
The digital exploitation notebook, still in standby
One of the most discussed changes in Spain has been the introduction of the digital exploitation notebook, a tool that collects data on phytosanitary treatments and the work carried out on the farms. Although its implementation has been postponed on several occasions, Martínez points out that “to this day, the mandatory nature of its use remains in force. standby. “It is an instrument that, when it comes into force, will force farmers to digitalize many of their procedures, something that requires a modernization of the sector.”
However, what is already mandatory for many farms is the fertilization notebook in areas vulnerable to nitrates. These areas, designated by the regional governments, have a high concentration of nitrates in their waters. Through SIGPAC, farmers can check whether their plots are located in these zones and, if so, they must keep a detailed record of fertilization practices. “It is a measure that seeks to control the contamination of our water resources, but it also adds a level of bureaucracy that many small producers find difficult to manage,” concludes Martínez.
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