Modern Agricultural Techniques and Crop Production
Modern Farming and Crop Production
Traditional agriculture was a polyculture system based on older techniques and extensive farming. Production was primarily for consumption. Today’s agriculture has undergone major changes in structure and production, adopting modern techniques such as:
- Selected Seeds and Transgenic Crops: Using selected seeds and transgenic crops.
- Pesticides and Fertilizers: The application of pesticides and fertilizers.
- Mechanization: The introduction of machinery (since the 1960s).
- Advanced Techniques: Implementing techniques like mulching (covering crops with plastic bands) and greenhouses to create microclimates.
Intensive Agriculture and Fallow
Intensive agriculture is expanding due to the reduction of fallow, a traditional practice of letting land rest. This involves rotating fallow land with cultivated land. The fallow area has declined as the rest period is reduced by seeding short-cycle crops.
Distribution: Limited in the north of the peninsula, but common in Castilla-La Mancha and Aragon.
Advantage: Allows the land to rest.
Problem: Reduces production.
Irrigation
Irrigation supplements rainfall with water from various sources, using methods like spray irrigation, drip irrigation, and sprinklers. It can be intensive or extensive.
- Intensive Irrigation: Used outdoors or in greenhouses, yielding multiple annual crops.
- Extensive Irrigation: Supports only one crop per season.
The irrigated area has increased due to infrastructure projects like dams and channel diversions. Currently, the focus is on improving existing irrigation systems to save water and reduce consumption.
Distribution of irrigation: Low in the north, very important in the Mediterranean. Two distinct areas:
- Coast: Predominantly extensive irrigation.
- Peninsular: Extensive irrigation benefiting from major peninsular rivers.
Benefits: Increases yields and farmer incomes, improves the standard of living, and helps stabilize the population.
Problems: Overfishing and wasteful water systems.
Agricultural Production
- Cereals: Used for human food (wheat and rice), livestock feed, and biofuel. Grown in the inland area of the peninsula. Production faces competition from other European countries.
- Legumes: Intended for human consumption (lentils, chickpeas) or livestock feed. Cultivation area coincides with that of cereals, with crop rotation. Production faces challenges due to mechanization difficulties and low yields.
- Vineyards: Located in drylands, grapes are used for fresh consumption and winemaking. The main producing area is Castilla-La Mancha, with other important regions like Rioja and Ribera del Duero. Production yields are improving due to enhanced growing techniques.
- Olive Trees: Grown in uplands for olive oil production. The main production area is the Andalusian countryside, particularly Jaen and Cordoba. This region is the world’s largest producer of olive oil.
- Horticultural Crops: Intended for fresh consumption or the canning industry. Grown in irrigated areas, with vegetables cultivated outdoors or in greenhouses. Orchards are located on the coast and in inland valleys. Citrus fruits are grown in the Valencian Community, stone fruits along the Mediterranean coastline, pome fruits in Asturias and Lleida, and bananas in the Canary Islands. Horticultural production is also used for self-consumption.
- Industrial Crops: Includes cotton, sunflower, and tobacco. Production is linked to related industries.
- Fodder Crops: Used as animal feed. Grown in dryland farming areas of the peninsula. Production is often integrated with livestock farming.