Nereida Cea - Murcia
The export value of fruits and vegetables Murcia last year increased by 13% to 1.605 million euros. This figure indicates an improvement in profitability in all agricultural export Murcia, according to Fernando Gomez, director general of the Association of Producers and Exporters of the region (Proexport). "This would have offset the losses incurred in previous years, especially in 2009, considered autonomy as real catastrophe," said the representative of the employer.
The agricultural sector accounts for 10% of regional GDP and employs 14% of the population. Unlike the decline that has seen this activity in other regions, its weight in the regional economy has remained steady in recent years.
The lettuce is by far the largest product export figures provides horticultural Murcia. Last year it sent outside our borders 432,462 tons worth 405 million euros, which represents 26% more than in 2009. Murcia EU supplies 74% of lettuce exported by Spain. After this product group of sprouts (broccoli, cauliflower and green variants), which represented 67% of the horticultural exports also grew by 4%.
The improvement in product quality and reducing costs to match production with demand have been key to improving the profitability of agriculture in Murcia, explains Gomez. Also has helped, especially during the second half of last year, "the greatest strength of demand from European countries, while domestic consumption was severely reduced as a result of the economic crisis," he adds.
Another positive factor has been the wealth "sunset" of rain last year, something rare in the Segura basin, the only structural deficit in Spain with water. This has meant the farmer Murcia a significant reduction of fixed costs in the irrigation water.
This lack of water has led to a constant search for ways to squeeze every last drop. In fact, in the region, with only 3.4% of water resources for 20% of fruits and vegetables of the country. Efforts in modernization of irrigation, with 85% of local irrigation and updated, and purification systems and water reuse have yielded the best performance. In addition, it has been that the river Segura, despite its low volume, is the least polluted in Spain.
Since the regional government is considered a strategic sector and therefore promotes the research and application of new technologies. In this line, the last program for biological control pioneer and biotechnology has been reduced by 30% the use of phytochemicals.
The Minister of Agriculture and Water of the community, Antonio Cerdá, sticks out his chest to say that agriculture in Murcia "is regarded abroad as one of the most modern and competitive." Also, Cerdá clear that, despite what is often thought to agriculture in Murcia is "discreet about EU grants received, with only 7.8% of final agricultural income, compared to 33% which represents the national average.
SOURCE: http://www.cincodias.com/
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