“The main problem we have here is the land crisis”

APAEMA was founded to promote organic farming. What is the current status of this model?

Organic farming has been growing steadily for years: there are an increasing number of operators, farmers and acres involved. It is a growing sector, compared to conventional agriculture, which is in decline. Nevertheless, the overall situation of the agricultural sector in Mallorca is complex, with many external factors hampering activity and businesses linked to the sector having closed down in recent years.

It is argued that the future lies in agroecology. Why is this change so important?

Agroecology involves closing cycles and embracing a form of agriculture that is more deeply rooted in the local area and less dependent on external factors. Right now, we see how rising oil prices directly affect production costs, for example in the case of fertilisers. This makes conventional agriculture more expensive and more vulnerable. If we rely on food imports, our economy and our food sovereignty are more vulnerable. That is why a more integrated model, linking crop and livestock farming, is essential.

In recent years, the number of organic farmers has grown. What is behind this trend?

Many of the people entering the sector are starting out directly in organic farming. They don’t even consider the conventional model because there is demand for it. In fact, the Balearic Islands is the region with the highest consumption of organic products, but we do not have enough producers to meet that demand, particularly when it comes to fresh produce.

Despite this growth, there are still doubts. What barriers exist?

There are generational barriers, as well as a lack of awareness. The average age of conventional farmers is relatively high, and changing models at that age is difficult. What’s more, many people believe that organic farming is less productive or less profitable, and that is simply due to a lack of knowledge. It has its own unique challenges and requires learning, but once you master it, the results are good.

Is access to land one of the major problems?

It is the main problem. Rural land is becoming a real estate asset. If you can build on 14,000-square-metre plots, what you end up doing is turning them into building plots. This jeopardises the island’s agricultural future. In addition, every new home involves water consumption, often for gardening rather than food production. We are focusing on short-term profitability without considering the consequences.

Why is the cooperative model so important?

Because it is very difficult to compete on your own in a globalised world. By joining forces, we gain scale, organise ourselves more effectively, and achieve more than we could on our own.

How does globalisation affect the Balearic Islands’ agricultural sector?

It affects us directly. We aren’t protected. We are competing in a global market against products that do not have to meet the same environmental or social standards that we do. That means we are not competing on a level playing field.

What initiatives is APAEMA promoting to strengthen the sector?

We have launched projects such as the Pagesos Ecològics de Mallorca cooperative, which has made it possible to market organic produce that previously had no outlet. We have also developed projects to coordinate horticultural production and supply large retailers, hotels and restaurants. We have the Obrador (a processing facility), which enables farmers to transform their produce into higher-value products, and projects such as Pastura Plus, which focuses on regenerative agriculture.

Beyond producing food, what role does agriculture play in the region?

It plays a fundamental role. Farmers manage between 70% and 80% of the land. If farming is not profitable, that area is abandoned or put to a different use. And yet there is no financial reward for preserving the landscape, even though it is a key attraction for tourism. The problem is that the strongest economic sectors do not support local products enough.

What relationship should there be between tourism and the primary sector?

Tourism should act as a driving force for the agricultural sector. Just as investments were made in the past to develop tourism, there should be a more direct relationship that allows the primary sector to grow. Right now, margins are so low that it’s impossible to invest or innovate, and that severely limits development.

How can we attract young people to the countryside?

It’s difficult if the sector offers low returns, a lot of hard work and tough conditions. There are no set hours, no weekends. If we don’t make the sector more appealing, there won’t be a new generation to take over. But this happens in other trades too: bakers, electricians… it’s a wider issue.

Are you optimistic about the future of the agricultural sector in Mallorca?

We are at a critical juncture. Unless bold measures are taken, there will be very few farmers left in 10 or 15 years’ time. Large farms will likely remain, but the more traditional model will disappear. And this is an issue we as a society must consider: if we want to preserve the land, the landscape, and everything that agriculture stands for, we have to commit to it.