Tortosa Area Forum
Help or Advice >> Building, reforming, legalities etc >> Vivienda
http://www.tortosaforum.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1275556155

Message started by hazelnut on Jun 3rd, 2010 at 11:09am

Title: Re: Vivienda
Post by viking on Jun 3rd, 2010 at 2:45pm
It is an interesting point and I would be interested to know what the government plans are in terms of agriculture in this area. They have invested quite a lot in the irrigation programme, presumably so that a more diverse variety of crops can be grown.
The small parcela system in this part of Catalunya is not conducive to large scale agriculture and is not profitable.
In the 'old days' people lived very frugally but I have only witnessed a few people over 70 who continue to farm their small parcelas in this way. Most of the vine and olive growers that you see out there now have second jobs. Some are builders, electricians, run pubs. They may make their own wine and sell it locally or use the olive oil for their families. They continue to do this because the land has been handed down and it is still part of their culture. However as people leave their Pueblo or get jobs that are not conducive to this second job then the land is sold or abandoned.
As I see it either the government encourage people to take it over or facilitate larger organisations to buy multiple parcelas for single crop use that would yield higher profits.
This would change the look and shape of the land as vinegrowers would inevitable do large landscaping works to make their job easier and more profitable.
The beauty of these areas is the patchwork effect that is gained from the small parcelas, each growing a different crop. The 'dry' agriculture of the olives, grapes and almonds is also environmentally friendly as they can survive without irrigation, or minimal irrigation.

If anyone knows what the government has in mind to promote the use of this land in a sustainable way then I would be interested to hear and it would make a good article for either the Olive Press or Chroniccat.

For my part I think the Ebre region is really missing out on potential tourism that would breathe new life into the area and provide jobs. They seem to promote the area for rural tourism but only to other Catalans  and Spanish.
The British have breathed new life into Perello but what have they got in return?
The local government could be using these contacts to facilitate tourism but alas their fear of foreigners has worked against them.
Yes Catalunya, we appreciate your culture, history, food, national spirit but remember that all these things will only hold you back if you don't open your heart and spirit to other cultures. People will begin to resent your culture if they do not feel included.

Tortosa Area Forum » Powered by YaBB 2.6.0!
YaBB Forum Software © 2000-2024. All Rights Reserved.