In 2023, the Office of Rural Affairs of the Consell de Formentera will offer €50,000 in subsidies for livestock and agriculture. The municipal budget contains a line item reserved in this amount. The terms and conditions are currently being prepared to simplify the application process and tailor it to the needs of the sector. They will be completed during the month of April.

Last year the Consell offered aid for this sector to the tune of €30,000, which benefited roughly twenty farmers and ranchers. "This year we have increased aid by €20,000 to allow the local primary sector to deal with rising costs of materials used on farms and stay viable", said Josep Marí, rural affairs councillor.

Concerted action with Cooperativa del Camp
Moreover, the councillor pointed out that at the March plenary assembly, which will take place tomorrow Friday 31 March, local decision-makers will approve the proposed agreement for concerted action with the Cooperativa del Camp, which, at €150,000, is €20,000 more than in 2022.

As Marí explained, "in view of the Cooperativa's expanding activity and rising costs, and to promote a sector that generates so many benefits for the island, not only by creating a circular economy, but also by preserving our traditional landscape and the environment, we have decided to increase the Consell's support for activity in the sector too".

The aim of the agreement is for the Cooperativa del Camp of Formentera to continue the actions of the public programme to revive the agricultural sector and improve Formentera's rural environment and landscape in 2023.

30 March 2023
Office of Communication
Consell de Formentera

The Office of Rural Affairs of the Consell de Formentera is pleased to report that last week (Thursday to Saturday, 16-18 March), Josep Marí, rural affairs councillor, accompanied Marcos Ribas and Carlos Marí, president and manager of the Cooperativa del Camp de Formentera, as well as other CCF staff, and Juan Antonio Prats, manager of the Agricultural Cooperative of Sant Antoni, on a tour of various Catalan farms employing extensive agriculture.

On this working trip the group visited farming projects like the Gallecs Consortium, which works to implement organic agriculture that preserves natural values, respects the environment, maintains and improves natural landscapes and at the same time is economically viable. The group also witnessed operations at the consortium's flour mill.

"The visits were highly enriching and allowed participants to see firsthand examples of growers who have successfully leveraged organic farming to use resources at hand and close the production cycle and thus attain economic performance while preserving the environment and helping shape a circular economy", said Councillor Marí.

The group also visited the Institute of Agri-Food Research and Technology (IRTA) to see how the IRTA experiments with alternative crops, including stone pines for pine nut harvesting, and assess whether it could be replicated on Formentera. The party also visited Pep Bover farm (Espunyola), which produces flour from the planting phase to final processing.

"The idea is to learn about the experiences of other farmers who can help us improve the sector on Formentera", affirmed Carlos Marí, who pointed up a visit to Cal Rovira (Sagàs), where the group was "struck by the case of a family that has managed to close the productive cycle of fodder, livestock and sausage". Finally, Formentera's contingent of growers learned about a rapeseed oil production project of the same family.

20 March 2023
Office of Communication
Consell de Formentera

The Office of Rural Environment of the Consell de Formentera is pleased to report that Wednesday 15 February marks the start of registration for the children's agriculture course. This workshop is four- to twelve-year-olds and will be held on Saturday mornings. Those interested can register in person at the Citizen Information Office (OAC) and online on the OVAC. The course will begin Saturday 25 February.

"The activity aims to promote knowledge around working the land using organic and traditional techniques while promoting respect for peers and the natural environment", explained Josep Marí, rural environment councillor.

The Children's Garden, or Hort Infantil, is next to Sa Tanca Vella chapel in Sant Francesc. Children will be divided into two groups according to their age. The first, for four- to seven-year-olds, will meet Saturdays from 10.00am to 11.45am, and the second, for eight- to twelve-year-olds, Saturdays from 12.15pm to 2.00pm. Classes are free of charge.

15 February 2023
Communications Office
Consell de Formentera

The Office of Rural Affairs of the Consell de Formentera is pleased to report that 21 and 22 February islanders are invited to attend a free course titled "Organic Livestock: regulatory aspects and sanitary management." The five-hour session will be led by veterinarian and teacher Raquel Servitja Dalmau.

The aim of the course is to highlight the regulatory and technical guidelines of organic livestock farming to optimise production and make it cleaner and more hygienic. Servitja will cover theoretical and practical aspects of regulations around organic production involving sheep, goats and pigs, alternative options for feed and medicine, and tailoring feed and parasite control to prevent disease.

Josep Marí, rural affairs councillor, said the course was designed "to help Formentera's livestock sector use an ecological approach to improve the care and feeding of its animals."

The course for farmers and anyone on the island interested in agricultural training. Registrations are now open at the Citizen Information Office (OAC) and online on the Virtual Citizen Information Office (OVAC). Want more information? Visit the Office of Agriculture (àrea d'Agricultura) at Centre Antoni Tur "Gabrielet" or call the office at 971 32 10 87.

2 February 2023
Communications Office
Consell de Formentera