Agricultural landscape. Improvements in the traditional agricultural sector

The project

The need to preserve the environment of the Balearic Islands is, nowadays, one of the main ways to achieve sustainable development and a healthy, balanced and durable economy. The maintenance of the landscape and agricultural activities are fundamental in order to achieve this development model, which is especially important for the country, taking into account the fragility and the difficulties of the agricultural world in island environments.

More specifically, the action proposed in this project focuses on the fight against soil erosion and the protection of biodiversity (rehabilitation of the marges and paret seca dry stone walls in places of environmental relevance); and the promotion of traditional farming with wood species (replanting of trees) which are particularly necessary to stop the current landscape and environmental degradation.

The proposed action clearly contributes to an improvement in soil conditions, water infiltration and the phytosanitary condition of tree plantations; the fight against soil erosion and fires; the conservation of biodiversity; and the maintenance of the landscape and agricultural economy.

The project consists of two differentiated actions that share the common objective of maintaining the current agricultural landscape. Both actions aim to provide grants to farmers and owners of agricultural holdings included within the European legislative framework for grants, to rehabilitate the marges and paret seca dry stone walls, hedges and enclosures, or to replant dry wood species (almond, carob, fig, plum, olive or apricot trees) to improve crops affected by drought and climate change.

As for the regions in question, action will be taken throughout the Balearic Islands territory with a special focus on the paret seca and marges dry stone walls in the Serra de Tramuntana Mountain Range and Menorca, and the replanting of trees in the area of Raiguer de Mallorca.