Tenerife Launches Land Bank to Revitalize Farmland and Mitigate Wildfire Risks

Tenerife’s Island Council has launched a new "land bank" to tackle the problem of abandoned rural property. The project, managed by the public company Gesplan, aims to bring unproductive farmland back to life by connecting landowners with people interested in farming the land. So far, over 47,000 square meters of land are available.

This initiative is a key part of the Mid-Altitude Areas Plan, a program funded by the Biodiversity Foundation and European grants that runs until October 2027. The plan was created following the devastating 2023 forest fires. By encouraging farming, controlled grazing, and vegetation clearing, the council hopes to create natural firebreaks in areas where forests meet residential neighborhoods.

The initial catalog includes ten plots across four municipalities:

• La Laguna: Seven plots in Tejina, El Rincón, Los Baldíos, Las Mercedes, El Rodeo de la Paja, El Rodeo Alto, and El Ortigal, ranging from 820 to 9,538 square meters.
• Icod de los Vinos: A 6,400-square-meter plot in La Fariña.
• El Sauzal: An 11,295-square-meter apple orchard.
• La Orotava: A 4,432-square-meter plot.

The program offers flexible agreements, including leasing, sales, or sharecropping, to suit different needs. While most sites have road access, the council notes that water availability will be a deciding factor for potential farmers.

Beyond simply matching land with operators, the council is providing technical advice on managing plant waste. They are encouraging farmers to use mulching—which improves soil quality—rather than traditional agricultural burning. This approach is designed to both boost the local economy and protect Tenerife’s mid-altitude communities from future fire risks.