The Strategic Plan for Greenhouse Fruits and Vegetables in Andalusia Horizon 2030 by the Andalusian Government has already exceeded, just ten months after its approval by the Council of Government, 30% execution. This was stated by the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development, Ramón Fernández-Pacheco, who in Níjar (Almería) held a meeting with about twenty agricultural entrepreneurs from the province to «listen to their needs and move forward together in the sector’s major challenges.»
Fernández-Pacheco pointed out that this plan, presented in May 2024 in the municipality of El Ejido, is a «clear roadmap» as with a budget of 441 million and 43 specific measures, it aims to «help the sector maintain the leadership position that Andalusia currently holds at the national and European level.»
Historic commitment to agriculture
After his meeting with many representatives of the Almerian agricultural sector, Fernández-Pacheco reiterated that agriculture is «key» for Andalusia. «In the Government, we are fully committed to its present and future,» he said. This commitment, as he recalled, translates into specific measures such as the «historic» investment of 325 million euros to ensure water for the field, which includes the Parra Plan, endowed with 165 million euros to bring water where it is needed, that is, to convey regenerated water from the tertiary treatment plants to the irrigation communities.
He also highlighted the efforts of the Andalusian Government to modernize the sector, with an investment of 175 million euros in aid for the modernization of machinery and agricultural operations with the aim that «no farmer or rancher is left behind.»
Active listening and joint work
The Minister emphasized the «good and constant dialogue» with the agricultural sector, highlighting that «the demands of farmers and ranchers are also those of the Andalusian Government.» In this sense, he stated that the Andalusian Government will continue working to consolidate and expand the agri-food leadership of the community.
Key issues such as water co-governance, aid to fruit and vegetable producer organizations, which amounted to 77.3 million euros in 2024, and the challenges facing the sector, such as the uncertainty generated by tariffs, were discussed in the meeting.
For his part, the mayor of Níjar, José Francisco Garrido, expressed his «great satisfaction» with the meeting. «Today we have made visible the unity of the Campo de Níjar in a meeting with practically all agricultural companies, with the Andalusian Government, and with the City Council itself. Níjar’s leadership as a European municipality with the highest percentage of ecological surface is indisputable, and the strength of the Níjar agro is unbeatable when we all work together, as happened today,» he said.
«If we are united in defending the interests of the Campo de Níjar, there is nothing we cannot achieve,» concluded the mayor of Níjar.
The main representatives of Coexphal, Única, Agroponiente, Casi, Caparrós, Vicasol, Hortichuelas, Agro San Isidro, Níjar Green, Coprohnijar, Biolitoral, Campojoyma, Costas de Níjar, Megasa, Biosol Portocarrero, and Biosabor participated in the meeting.