In the coming year, prospects point to a reduction in the acreage devoted to garlic cultivation, according to the second-degree cooperative Coopaman, which is specialized in Purple Garlic of Las Pedroñeras. One of the reasons behind this forecast is the "difficult campaign we experienced last year, with product losses that ranged between 40% and 50%," says David Rodríguez Virgós, manager of the entity.
This scenario has been exacerbated by "the increasing difficulties our growers are having to access water, along with the rise in input costs." The prolonged drought and restrictions on water extraction are hurdles for the planting of this essential crop in the region. Rodríguez Virgós said that "although garlic, and particularly purple garlic of Las Pedroñeras, does not require an exorbitant amount of water," it does need "a fairly reasonable amount; always less than other products grown in the area, such as onions." Despite this, he says that a minimum indispensable amount of water is always necessary.
Also, just like with other crops, such as saffron, producers are retiring, but not all are being replaced by new generations. "Some partners and producers are reaching the age in which they decide to stop cultivating, and there is an evident lack of generational replacement," says Rodríguez Virgós.
This is a problem that is "very difficult to solve," but it is essential to address it jointly. It's not just down to us, as a cooperative, and to the companies in the sector; the authorities must also intervene."
Source: cadenaser.com