Spanish Agriculture: A Deep Dive
Agriculture in Spain
Until recent decades, agriculture was the most important sector in our country, carried out using rudimentary methods. Animal strength was fundamental, especially for traction and transport.
Since the early 20th century, a gradual abandonment of rural areas has occurred. Young people preferred the city, which offered fixed salaries (as opposed to the uncertainties of the countryside) and a higher standard of living. Simultaneously, the progressive industrialization of society also impacted the countryside. The introduction of more precise machinery and tools, chemical fertilizers, and technical expertise helped improve yields, both qualitatively and quantitatively, reducing the need for manual labor.
Factors Affecting Agriculture
The agricultural landscape is the result of the interaction of various environmental and social variables. Physical constraints influence agricultural production potential and the types of crops cultivated.
Key Influencing Factors:
- Altitude: A major constraint in Spain, with large high-elevation areas. Optimal conditions exist below 200m, representing only 11.5% of the territory.
- Orography (Slope): Steeper slopes make land cultivation and irrigation more challenging. Rainwater causes more erosion and less ground penetration. Terraces and other structures are necessary to mitigate these effects.
- Climate:
- Rainfall: Spain is divided into wet (Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, Basque Country, Pyrenees) and dry regions. Flooding can damage crops, while irregular rainfall patterns pose challenges. However, some rivers have created fertile floodplains suitable for fruit and vegetable cultivation. Storms, hail, and drought can also destroy crops. Dry Spain is characterized by the Mediterranean trilogy: wheat, grapes, and olives.
- Temperature: Coastal areas experience less temperature fluctuation than inland regions. Higher altitudes have colder winters and increased frost risk.
- Soil Type: A decisive factor influencing agricultural practices.
- Water Availability: Agriculture relies on rainwater or irrigation networks (rivers and aquifers). Water availability determines crop choices:
- Dryland Farming: Practiced in areas without irrigation, typically with wheat, grapes, and olives. Extensive cultivation is common, with lower yields.
- Irrigated Crops: Water is supplied through various irrigation systems. Legumes (lentils, chickpeas, beans) and vegetables (carrots, lettuce, tomatoes, potatoes) are common irrigated crops. Intensive cultivation leads to higher yields.
Structure of Agricultural Holdings
Agricultural holdings are characterized by size and ownership. Land ownership in Spain is marked by a concentration of large estates and a fragmentation of small properties.
Most agricultural land is managed directly by owners or through hired day laborers. Different contract types exist between landowners and farmers:
- Lease: The landowner provides land to the farmer in exchange for rent.
- Partnership: The farmer pays the landowner a share of the harvest.
Evolution of Production
There’s a constant drive to improve yields and increase production. These improvements include mechanization, genetic and biological research (seed selection, species matching), chemical inputs (fertilizers), new irrigation systems (sprinklers, greenhouses, plasticulture), etc.