The dramatic effect of the novel coronavirus in Spain, having claimed more than 1,300 human lives at the time of writing, has Spanish farmers hitting the streets again — not to protest, but to help with their tractors and equipment contain the spread of the pandemic, said Asaja, the Young Farmers Agrarian Association.
Farmers in many areas of the country, working together with the local authorities, loaded their tractor tanks with disinfectant solution (water and hypochlorite) and started sprinkling streets, squares, parks, and other public places.
“Farmers and ranchers are not oblivious to the difficult times that all of society is going through and we want to contribute our grain of sand. We will go where we are needed to fight this virus that has affected us all,” Pere Roque, president of Asaja-Lérida, stated.
“With tractors and atomizers, it is intended to stop the spread of the virus, since the use of this type of machinery is much more efficient than the treatment carried out [by hand],” he added.
Meanwhile, the restrictions in Spain due to the partial lockdown of the country have made day-to-day commuting hard for agricultural and plant workers.
As Emilio Terrón, the secretary for agriculture and fruit and vegetable handling of the UGT-FICA association explained, land workers and those working in handling facilities of agricultural products used to share one vehicle with co-workers to move, but the new measures require that each vehicle carries only one person (the driver) to prevent any spreading of the virus, posing a serious challenge to most of the workers who lack a driving license or a car of their own.
Furthermore, Terrón said that some workers reported to UGT-FICA that their employers have threatened them with a “voluntary withdrawal” status in case they miss work due to traffic limitations.
Related Articles
Apr. 16, 2024
Researchers Investigate Solar Panel and Olive Grove Synergies
Solar panels between rows of high-density olive groves generate electricity with minimal impact on yields.
Oct. 18, 2024
Officials in Spain Optimistic Ahead of Harvest as Prices Remain Elevated
Spain is expected to produce between 1.4 and 1.5 million tons of olive oil in the 2024/25 crop year after a wet winter and mild spring favored a bumper crop.
Apr. 3, 2024
Nurseries in Spain Are Running Low on Olive Tree Seedlings
High olive oil prices at origin, interest from private equity and farmers seeking to shift away from more water-intensive crops are fueling the shortages.
Jan. 29, 2024
Production in Spain Expected to Fall Short of Initial Estimates
Production estimates range from 680,000 to 755,000 tons for the 2023/24 crop year, below expectations at the start of the harvest.
Jan. 25, 2024
Record Olive Oil Prices Drive Down Consumption in Spain
Consumers are using less olive oil, buying smaller formats and switching to lower-quality categories.
Jul. 9, 2024
Enhancing Excellence: How the World's Best Restaurant Uses Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Locally sourced extra virgin olive oil is an essential ingredient for the Michelin-star chefs at Disfrutar Barcelona and their award-winning tasting menu.
Aug. 20, 2024
Leveraging AI to Enhance Olive Oil Quality, Efficiency and Trust
AI has been improving olive farming for a decade, enhancing efficiency, decision-making, traceability, and sustainability. Recent advancements include predictive pricing, pest control, and personalized marketing.
Jan. 16, 2024
Spain Set to Eliminate Value-Added Tax on Olive Oil Sales
The tax cut is part of wider efforts to address the rising cost of living. The measure would eliminate VAT on olive oil until June 30th.