Agricultural Transformation in Spain: From Subsistence to Market Economy
From Subsistence to Market Economy
The shift towards a market economy in agriculture involved the use of new techniques like three-year crop rotation, leading to increased production and access to food for a growing population. Large landowners gained more revenue, investing capital into industry. An increasing part of the agricultural sector became integrated into the market economy. Farmers aimed to maximize profit, specializing in specific crops and purchasing industrial goods like machinery, fertilizers, pesticides, and seeds. This specialization led to a reliance on the market for foods they no longer produced.
Capitalization of Agriculture
As industry demanded labor and railroads improved transportation, a rural exodus began. To meet market demands, agriculture underwent capitalization, increasing irrigated areas, purchasing machinery, acquiring cattle breeds, and adapting facilities.
Rural Population Dynamics
The rural population decreased due to mechanization. However, in the late 20th century, there was an increase in urban residents moving to rural areas. This led to a distinction between rural inhabitants working in secondary or tertiary sectors and those working in the primary sector, with an increase in the agricultural labor force.
Agricultural Labor in Spain
On small and medium-sized farms, owners worked the land with family help or a few employees. Large farms employed wage workers. The phasing out of traditional land tenure systems and the rise of wage labor led to increased demand for seasonal workers, often from Romania, Colombia, and Morocco, supported by European Union contracts.
Evolution of Land Use
- Decrease in useful agricultural land
- Increase in forest area
Farm Structure
Latifundio
Large estates, traditionally associated with low agricultural yields and high employment, now experience a favorable economic situation. Found in Extremadura, Castello-La Mancha, and Andalusia.
Farm
Smallholdings predominate in the northern half of the peninsula and the islands. Market demands require abandoning self-sufficiency, increasing production, and profitability. However, small plot sizes hinder mechanization and competitiveness against rising industrial product prices.
Medium-Sized Farms
European Union bodies support family and medium-sized farms, promoting intensive agriculture for quality products to meet market demands.
Agricultural Production
Agricultural production depends on land surface, cultivation type (rainfed or irrigated), soil quality, and cultivation intensity.
Unirrigated Crops
(Cereals, vineyards, and olive groves) – Decrease in land surface.
Irrigated Crops
(Horticulture and fruit) – Increase in irrigation.
Livestock Production
Livestock is a technologically advanced industry closely related to processing, contributing around 40% of Spain’s final agricultural production. Traditional production systems coexist with modern methods. Slight decrease in cattle and sheep production; increase and stability in pig and poultry sectors.
- Cattle: A pillar of domestic livestock, Spain is the third largest EU cattle producer. Trends show a decline in farmers and increased specialization in meat and milk production.
- Sheep: Traditional practices like transhumance have disappeared, with a gradual professionalization focused on meat and milk production.
- Pig: Significant development, industrialization, and intensification. Piglets are for fresh consumption and charcuterie.
- Poultry: Highly industrialized with high yields. The number of culled birds remains stable, but prices have increased, while egg production remains consistent.