In the Canary Islands, an association has been created to protect farmers and fishermen.
In the Canary Islands, an Association of Land Workers has been created to protect the interests of local farmers, ranchers, and fishermen who are struggling for the survival of local production.
A new organization has emerged in the Canary Islands with the aim of supporting farmers, ranchers, and fishermen. It is called the Association of Land Workers of the Canary Islands. It was created to protect the interests of those who work on the land and in the sea, and to raise awareness about the importance of local production. Currently, the Canary Islands are heavily dependent on food imports.
People from various islands, including La Palma, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, El Hierro, and La Gomera, have already joined the organization. They want their voices to be heard, especially now, as the future of agriculture and fishing on the islands is being decided.
The association's creation was officially announced in the city of La Orotava. There, the organization's main plans were revealed. The association's president, José Antonio Gómez, explained that the main goal is to "reach out to the people and the authorities to make a change." He emphasized that if things remain as they are, there will be no future for local production. "People need to understand that we are an important part of society," he said.
Gómez also noted that it is necessary to unite in order to have more influence on prices and make production profitable. "Currently, prices are such that we cannot work properly. The stronger we are, the more we can influence sales and get a fair price for our products," he emphasized.
The association wants people to know about the problems faced by local producers: high costs, competition from imported goods, the reluctance of young people to work in agriculture, and the lack of support from the state.
The president warned that supermarkets on the islands are filled with imported products. "If supplies from abroad suddenly stop, the stores will be empty. If we do not produce enough food ourselves, there could be trouble," he said.
The association's main office is located in La Palma, but they want to have representation on every island. Therefore, they urge those who have not yet joined to "become part of our struggle." The association was created by people working in various fields of agriculture and fishing who want to ensure a decent future for these industries in the Canary Islands.
The association's secretary, Ricardo Carballo, said that he represents the third generation of farmers in his family, and possibly the last. "I have almost lost hope, but I believe that together we can make a difference. We want our work to bring satisfaction again and for us to be able to live normally, working on the land," he said. He added that many of his colleagues also feel tired and are thinking of quitting their jobs. "That's why it's so important to unite and make one last push," he emphasized.
At the event, history professor Manuel Hernández also spoke about the importance of agriculture for the Canary Islands in the past and its role in shaping the region's economy.