Transformation of Spanish Agriculture: A Modern Overview

The Scope of Agriculture and Rural Activities

The term “agriculture” refers specifically to agricultural activities. The broader term “agriculture” encompasses all primary sector activities. The term “rural” is the most inclusive, encompassing any activity in non-urban areas.

Diversity in Spanish Agriculture

The diversity of Spanish agriculture stems from physical factors (climate, soil type) and human influences. This creates regional differences:

1. Atlantic Coast: Predominantly livestock, especially dairy cattle.
2. Catalonia and Madrid: Although primarily livestock-focused (intensive), these regions have significant agricultural sectors (wine, oil, vegetables, and fruits).
3. Andalusia, Murcia, Canary and Balearic Islands, and Valencia: Strong agricultural predominance, particularly horticulture. Andalusia also accounts for 80% of olive groves and over 90% of Spanish cotton.
4. Castilla-La Mancha and La Rioja: Clear agricultural orientation, with vineyards holding significant weight.
5. Castilla y León: Specializes in cereal and industrial crops (sunflower and sugar beet).
6. Navarra and Extremadura: A balance between crops and livestock, including cereals and fruits.

Changes in Land Use

Over the last fifty years, land use has changed due to:

• Shifting contributions of agriculture, livestock, and forestry to final agricultural production. Agriculture’s contribution has decreased, livestock’s has increased, and forestry has remained relatively stable.
• New non-traditional rural land uses (residential, industrial, recreational, and service).

Traditional vs. Modern Agriculture

Transformation of Agricultural Structure

• Specialization: Farms specialize in products best suited to their environment.
• Modern Techniques:
  • Mechanization: Increased use of tractors, harvesters, and cultivators.
  • Pesticide and Fertilizer Use: Especially in irrigated areas.
  • Selected Seeds and Crops: More resistant to environmental extremes and pests.
  • New Cultivation Techniques: Padding, sanded, greenhouses, and hydroponic culture.
• Crop Intensification
• Expansion of Irrigated Areas: Government action has doubled irrigated hectares throughout the 20th century.
• Decreased Fallow: Less need for land rest due to increased fertilizer use and spring crops.

Transformation of Crops

Cereals

• Occupy 51% of cultivated land.
• Human consumption cereals (wheat, rice) are declining in favor of livestock feed (barley, corn, oats, rye).
• Main production area is the Iberian Peninsula interior, where they alternate with fallow or legumes (rainfed), except for maize and rice grown in wetter areas.
• Production has grown, but production quotas are imposed due to EU surpluses.

Legumes

• Consumed green or dry (beans, lentils, chickpeas).
• Used for livestock feed.
• Grown in the same areas as cereals, often rotated.
• Production has decreased due to processing difficulties and low yields.

Vineyard

• Grapes are primarily used for wine production.
• Cultivation is spreading throughout Spain.
• Low yields, occupying large areas unsuitable for other uses.
• EU policies shifted from subsidizing surplus production to promoting quality varieties.

Olive

• Highly drought-resistant tree crop.
• Primarily for oil production.
• Grown in southern Spain, Extremadura, and Andalusia.
• Cultivation improvements include fertilization, pest control, and drip irrigation.
• Spain is the world’s largest olive oil producer (40%).
• EU policies initially favored growth through subsidies, but later imposed production quotas.

Horticultural Products

• For fresh consumption or canning.
• Grown in irrigated areas, except for almonds.
• Vegetables are grown outdoors or in greenhouses.
• Fruit production varies regionally.
• Majority of production is exported.

Flowers and Industrial Crops

• Flower production is increasing in the Canary Islands and Catalonia.
• Industrial crops (sugar beet, sunflower, cotton, tobacco) require industrial processing.
• Production is linked to processing industries.
• EU policies influenced sunflower and tobacco production.

Forage

• For animal feed (alfalfa, corn silage).
• Grown in northern Spain and irrigated areas.
• Production has increased due to higher demand for livestock products.

Transformation of Livestock Farming

Traditional vs. Current Breeding

Transformation of Cattle Structure

• Increase in intensive livestock farming (stables or mixed feeding) versus extensive farming (pasture-based).
• Challenges include food shortages, inadequate farm size, competition, disease outbreaks, and farming practices.

Transformation of Specific Livestock

• Cattle: Milk and meat production, with surpluses in the EU requiring quotas.
• Sheep: Primarily meat, milk (for cheese), and wool. Facing challenges with traditional farms and sheep quality.
• Pigs: Intensive and extensive farming systems. Price fluctuations due to European surpluses and imports.
• Poultry: High production of meat and eggs, mainly in Catalonia, Castilla y León, and Aragon.

Spain: Forest Sector

• Forested area consists of hardwoods and conifers.
• Logging is the primary use, followed by resins and cork.
• Main producing areas are in northern Spain.
• Timber needs exceed domestic production, requiring imports.
• Challenges include deforestation, fires, and forest diseases.

New Rural Uses

1. Housing: Second homes or primary residences near cities.
2. Industrial Uses: Industries seeking cheap land and local products.
3. Tourism and Recreation: Nature-based tourism, hunting, and extreme sports.