First Canarian Wins Agro Award After Saving Endangered Sheep

Pilar Carballo recently won the "Agro-Livestock Woman of the Year" award at the 8th MujerAGRO Awards, given by the Institute of Engineering of Spain. This is more than just a personal achievement. According to DIARIO DE AVISOS, it's the first time a professional from the Canary Islands has received this award, highlighting the ongoing effort to recognize rural women, which has been a key goal of these awards for the past ten years.

Carballo, who only started her career in the farming sector relatively recently after working in other fields, was recognized for her leadership at Finca Ecológica La Jara in Fasnia. The judges praised her influence not just regionally but also nationally, her active involvement in professional networks, and the natural challenges of running such a project on an island.

However, this recognition comes after a difficult period for the farmer. Months ago, her project faced serious threats when her flock was attacked, likely by wild dogs. These incidents, which happened in the highlands of Arafo, led to the loss of critically endangered Palmera sheep, a breed with fewer than two hundred individuals left across the archipelago, and native hair sheep, whose population also doesn't exceed 3,000 in the Canary Islands.

These losses were particularly significant because the core breeding group of Palmera sheep was part of a regional genetic recovery program for native species, supported by the Canarian Institute of Agrarian Research (ICIA). Carballo's mission was to help increase the flock's numbers to prevent the breed from vanishing, which means these animals are considered a public asset.

Because the farm's future was at risk, she spoke with local authorities. As a result, the Cabildo de Tenerife put in place security measures, strengthening farm entrances and installing video cameras to stop further attacks. Fortunately, the situation at La Jara has greatly improved. The flock has recovered, is breeding again, and its numbers have grown.

For Pilar Carballo, this award, received after less than ten years working on the project, validates her ongoing hard work and, especially, acknowledges the efforts being made in the Canary Islands. The farmer has said that the award gives her extra motivation to continue with the farming methods she believes are best for the industry.