The Canary Islands Government has managed €19.9 million in PEPAC grants between 2023 and 2026, with 275 young applicants to create agricultural businesses, as reported by President Fernando Clavijo at a meeting in Tacoronte.
A total of 275 young people have applied for aid from the Strategic Plan of the Common Agricultural Policy (PEPAC) managed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food Sovereignty of the Canary Islands Government to create their own agricultural business. These grants, which total €19.9 million between 2023 and 2026, aim to promote generational change in the primary sector of the archipelago.
The President of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo, and the regional minister, Narvay Quintero, inaugurated the Generational Agricultural Change Meeting 2026 on Thursday, July 23, held at the Agricultural Training School (ECA) in Tacoronte. The event brought together young farmers and ranchers from all the islands who are beneficiaries of the calls for 2025 and 2026, with the aim of creating links, sharing experiences, and gathering improvement proposals.
During the opening, Clavijo highlighted that the Canary Government has improved the regulatory bases of the calls and increased the available credits to ensure that no young person with a viable project has to give up entering the primary sector due to lack of financial support. “In the Canary Islands, there is a generation with training, initiative, and great ideas that wants to dedicate itself to the primary sector. Our responsibility is to reduce barriers and provide the necessary tools for them to turn their proposals into viable projects,” said the president.
The increase in credits has allowed for an expansion of the aid's reach and to cater to all initiatives that met the requirements. According to Clavijo, the meeting responds to the need to maintain direct dialogue with those starting their professional journey. “Listening to their experiences allows us to understand what is working, identify the obstacles that persist, and better guide public policies,” he added.
For his part, Minister Narvay Quintero emphasized that the financial support is complemented by ongoing technical assistance to the beneficiaries. This guidance begins from the definition of the business idea and the development of the business plan, continues during the implementation, and is maintained during the first years of the initiative's development, a crucial stage to ensure its viability.
Quintero pointed out that this support must be accompanied by specialized training linked to the real needs of the sector. He highlighted the value of holding the meeting at the ECA in Tacoronte, one of the three agricultural training schools in the Canary Islands and one of the five agricultural and maritime training centres managed by the Ministry. “These centres are a reference in the preparation of professionals and develop a training model in which practical learning plays a fundamental role,” he explained.
The minister stated that generational change requires attracting and training a new generation of qualified professionals capable of integrating innovation, new technologies, and more efficient management models. “It is not just about replacing those who leave the activity, but about advancing towards a more professionalized, modern, competitive sector prepared to face its challenges,” he added.
During the day, attendees were able to enjoy an audiovisual piece showcasing seven business experiences of young people who have already launched their projects thanks to these grants. The event also featured the participation of the Deputy Minister of the Primary Sector, Eduardo García; the directors general of Agriculture and Livestock, Juan Ramón Marín and Andrés Díaz Matoso; the CEO of Rural Management of the Canary Islands, Juan Antonio Alonso; representatives from the Agricultural Training Service and Professional Agricultural Organizations, and the mayor of Tacoronte, Sandra Izquierdo.
This initiative is part of the Canary Government's effort to ensure the continuity of agricultural and livestock activity in the islands, where the average age of farm holders exceeds 60 years. With this aid, the aim is to rejuvenate the sector and ensure the supply of local products. Young people interested can find out about future calls through the Ministry of Agriculture's website.
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