Spanish Agriculture in the Early 20th Century: Crisis and Reform
Agrarian Backwardness and Conflict
The Agrarian Crisis
At the beginning of the 20th century, Spanish agriculture faced the consequences of the agrarian crisis that swept through Europe in the late 19th century. There was an agriculture oriented mainly towards the cultivation of cereals, and it basically had a herd of sheep. Spain accused the grain crisis more strongly than other neighboring countries. The cause of the crisis was the arrival in Europe of products from countries with extensive agriculture, which were more competitive. This resulted in lower prices than the Europeans, as a result of very high production and a reduction of time and transport costs. In some of the major producing regions, the reduction in revenue led to a decrease in profits. This stemmed the decline in the wages of laborers, which started a period of peasant unrest. The grain crisis was accompanied by a crisis of viticulture. Wine exports experienced a spectacular rise, becoming the first batch of foreign sales. But by 1879, phylloxera found its way to Spain, ending the golden age of exports. The native vine disappeared, and all the vineyards were replanted with a new American strain, which was immune to phylloxera.
Agricultural Developments
The agrarian crisis was overcome through the establishment of new barriers and the growth of production. This increase was due to new acculturation and the intensification, diversification, and specialization of crops. Agriculture was intensified by using, for example, fertilizers, and new crops were introduced to improve livestock production, increasing stocks of meat and milk for the urban market.
The Predominance of Cereal
Cereal production was consolidated as the main crop of the Spanish countryside. Cereals and legumes constituted the agricultural sector with the lowest productivity in 1931. They had very low yields and high prices. This had important consequences for economic development: the growing urban population was forced to consume food at prices much higher than the international market. The disposable income to demand manufactured products was lower, which largely hampered industrial growth.
Greater Dynamism in Other Agricultural Products
The more dynamic cultures were vineyards, olive and citrus trees, fruit, and vegetables. In the Mediterranean, especially in Valencia, agricultural development had benefits that spurred industrial activities related to chemicals for the field. In Cantabria, however, livestock production of meat and milk increased significantly.
The Problems of the Spanish Countryside
The situation of the Spanish countryside in the first third of the 20th century was marked by the huge inequality in the ownership structure of the earth.
- On the one hand, owners of large estates had a very low-risk aversion and very little interest in the efficient cultivation of their lands. In these areas, the vast majority of the population lived in conditions that only allowed them to survive. The differences between a minority of owners and the great mass of landless peasants led to a remarkable social conflict. The mobilization was increasingly linking the need for land reform.
- On the other hand, the existence of smallholders increased the productivity of crops for subsistence but was unable to generate profits and modernize farms. This pushed many small farmers to migrate.
Attempts to Answer
The various Spanish governments of the time were aware of the backwardness of the Spanish countryside. Increased irrigation was seen as an essential element in overcoming adverse weather conditions. A Plan of Works that encouraged the introduction of irrigation in rainfed areas was adopted. However, the main problem was the large number of landless peasants. Measures that were approved were insufficient, and the pressure from large landowners prevented any attempt at land reform.