Rural Spain: Physical Factors, Human Impact, and Agricultural Evolution
Physical Factors and the Human Environment in Rural Spain
Relief
Elevated average altitude of 660m, heavy erosion, and steep slopes that hinder mechanization.
Climate
Scarce and irregular rainfall, temperatures with extreme variations, intense solar radiation, and aridity, leading to poor soil quality.
Soil
Poor soil structure and shallow agricultural land.
Traditional and Modern Agricultural Practices
Traditional Practices
- High number of manual laborers.
- Coexistence of small and large farms.
- Extensive farming with little technological development.
Consequences: Low yields, production dedicated to the market, and self-consumption.
Transformations Post-1960
- Aging and scarce rural population.
- Intensification of farming with machinery.
- Incorporation of technological advancements provided by the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
Result: Increased yields, specialized regional production, and integration into a globalized market.
Demographic Shifts in Rural Spain
Rural Spanish towns have experienced a notable decline since the beginning of the last century. The primary cause is the rural exodus, driven by low incomes in the agricultural sector, which led people to migrate to urban and industrial centers, especially between 1960 and 1975.
Consequences: Rural exodus, depopulation of rural areas, aging population, and delayed development.
Future Trends: Continued decline in the rural population is expected as farmers retire. However, there might be some rejuvenation due to an increase in young farmers, favored by EU subsidies aimed at preventing rural depopulation and protecting the environment.
Land Ownership and Farm Structure
Rural land ownership in Spain is characterized by limited land availability. Farms are often composed of multiple parcels, even if physically separated.
- Latifundios (+100 ha): Prevalent in Andalusia, Extremadura, Castilla-La Mancha, and Castilla y León. Traditionally characterized by absentee ownership, extensive cultivation, low yields, and a large number of laborers. Some have been converted into capitalist enterprises.
- Minifundios (-100 ha): Common in northern Spain and the Valencian Community. They hinder agricultural competitiveness due to low income and limited modernization. Some persist thanks to part-time farming, combining agricultural work with other jobs.
Land Tenure
- Direct ownership: The owner directly manages the land.
- Indirect ownership: The land is ceded to another person in exchange for a percentage of the harvest (sharecropping) or a fixed rent (lease).
Technological Advancements in Agriculture
The first stage involved the mechanization of agricultural tasks, the selection of livestock breeds, and the use of chemical fertilizers. The second stage saw increased product diversification and improved yields.
Rural Settlements and Housing
Rural Settlements
Rural settlements are population centers with fewer than 10,000 inhabitants, with rural nuclei having fewer than 2,000 inhabitants.
- Dispersed Settlements: Isolated farmhouses surrounded by fields or forests. Common in Catalonia, Valencia, Murcia, Andalusia, northern Spain, and both island groups.
- Absolute Dispersed: Population does not live in concentrated areas. Found in mountainous regions with livestock or agroforestry activities.
- Lax Concentrated: Small, separated groups of houses forming villages.
- Intercalated Dispersed: Houses surrounded by their land, interspersed between primitive population centers.
- Concentrated Settlements: Houses grouped together, with farmland extending outward.
- Linear: Houses arranged along a road.
- Clustered: Houses grouped around one or more central points in an irregular pattern.
Transformations in Rural Housing
Since the 1960s, there has been a reduction in the exodus from rural villages due to improved accessibility and the promotion of rural tourism. Traditional houses are being restored or repurposed for leisure and tourism.
Rural Housing Types
- Stone houses: Common in areas with available stone.
- Timber-framed houses: Wooden structure filled with masonry or brick. Found in the Basque Country, Segovia, and Guadalajara.
- Mud houses: Made of sun-dried mud and straw. Common in Murcia, the Ebro Valley, and Valencia.
- Block houses: All dependencies under one roof.
- Houses with multiple floors: Ground floor for storage and livestock, upper floor for dwelling.
- Houses built around a courtyard: Open or closed courtyard.
Agricultural Policy and EU Integration
19th Century to 1986
Agrarian policy focused on land ownership, with attempts at land reform through disentailment in the 19th century and during the Second Republic. Colonization and irrigation projects were implemented during the Franco regime. Land consolidation policies were initiated in 1952 to reduce farm fragmentation.
1986 to Present
Spain’s integration into the European Common Market brought significant changes. The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) established common market organizations, price regulations, and trade liberalization. Spain had to modernize its agricultural sector to increase productivity and competitiveness. EU funds like the EAGGF and ESF supported this modernization and rural development.
Problems of Spanish Agriculture: High production costs compared to the global market, surplus production of certain products (e.g., cereals, milk, wine, beef), and rural depopulation.
CAP Reforms: Implementation of production quotas and single farm payments independent of production. The CAP also addresses rural depopulation and environmental degradation through funding for infrastructure and farm diversification.
Problematic Areas: Regions with surplus production and low competitiveness, such as Cantabria, vineyards, and certain areas of Andalusia, receive special support.