The association of packers and exporters of fruits from La Palma is hopeful that the state government will approve a new funding decree to continue the reconstruction of the farms devastated by the volcano in 2021. It estimates that 223 million euros are still needed.
The Association of Packing, Exporting and Marketing Entities of Fruits from La Palma (Asepalma) has expressed its confidence that the Government of Spain will soon approve a new decree that provides funding for the reconstruction of the agricultural farms destroyed by the volcanic eruption of 2021 in the Valle de Aridane. According to their estimates, the process still requires 223 million euros to be completed.
In a statement, the entity emphasizes that the financial resources available so far have been exhausted, which has hindered actions in the banana plantations and other affected crops. Asepalma hopes that the Council of Ministers will give the green light to a new injection of funds that will allow the recovery works of the island's economic engine: agriculture.
The association also trusts in the support of the Government of the Canary Islands to continue the work. In this regard, it advocates for a political agreement between the regional and state executives that guarantees the completion of the reconstruction process, which it describes as “complex but necessary” for the economy of La Palma.
“The important thing is that these public funds are provided at the pace required for reconstruction, as a halt or slowdown produces discouragement and blocks the projects of farmers who have shown their willingness not to throw in the towel almost five years after the disaster,” Asepalma states in the note.
The entity insists that the next allocation should be directed to the priority actions that farmers need most, which have already been communicated to the administrations involved in the negotiations. Asepalma avoids entering into “political battles” between administrations, but reminds that, as a representative of the affected sector, it must safeguard the interests of its members, who include various political sensitivities.
So far, the association acknowledges that progress has been made thanks to the constant demands of farmers and the involvement of members of the state government, the Canary government, the Cabildo of La Palma, and the municipalities. “If it has been possible before, new agreements can be reached to complete the reconstruction,” it concludes.
The eruption of the Cumbre Vieja volcano, between September and December 2021, buried hundreds of hectares of crops, mainly banana plantations, under lava in the municipalities of Los Llanos de Aridane, El Paso, and Tazacorte. The reconstruction of the primary sector has become a priority for the island, where agriculture has a greater economic weight than in other islands of the archipelago.
Affected farmers have expressed their concern over the delay in the arrival of funds, which threatens to delay the recovery of their farms. Meanwhile, Asepalma remains hopeful that the political agreement will materialize in the coming weeks, thus allowing the reconstruction work to continue.
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