Initiative to Protect the Traditional Farming Landscape in Ibiza

Since 2018, the Island Council of Ibiza has been promoting a grant scheme aimed at protecting the island's farming environment, under threat from the depopulation of farmland, pressure on the woodland landscape and the loss of biodiversity. The new plan continues this support with a budget of more than €3.6 million until 2027.

These grants are aimed at farm owners and cover everything from tillage and sowing to maintaining rainfed fruit trees, extensive livestock farming and beekeeping. Further increments will be provided to farms in protected areas or that use native breeds, as an incentive for more sustainable practices.

The results of the first cycle have been significant: the area of rainfed cropland has grown by more than 126% since 2020, reaching over 3,200 hectares. Numbers of livestock have also increased, with more than 2,200 sheep and goats, and the number of active beehives has reached 1,750. Participation in the scheme has grown by 104% over the same period.

Beyond the economic benefit, the scheme has an impact on key ecological issues. Maintaining the farming landscape prevents uncontrolled forest expansion, reduces fire risk and ensures essential habitat conservation. According to data from the Council of Ibiza, 54% of the territory of Ibiza is located in areas that are highly vulnerable to fires, a figure well above the island average.