A worrying trend has emerged in the Balearic Islands regarding agricultural land, much of which is lying idle. According to regional and national ministries of agriculture, a staggering 133,772 hectares of land are currently unproductive. Of this, 126,082 hectares are classified as “unused” and the rest is abandoned.
Director General of Agriculture Fernando Fernandez sheds light on the situation, highlighting the need for action to tackle the problem. Through careful analysis, authorities have identified vast tracts of land suitable for agricultural purposes, sparking discussions about mobilizing these resources.
Recalibration of the data showed that the area of abandoned land was double the original estimates, highlighting the urgency of this issue. This finding highlights the importance of initiatives aimed at reclaiming and reviving unused land for agricultural use.
Efforts are being made at the national level to mobilize such land, with a focus on aligning strategies with the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Regional governments, including Galicia, have launched initiatives such as the creation of land banks to facilitate financing and support agricultural revitalization projects.
In the Balearic Islands, plans are underway to replicate these efforts, with proposals to create a land bank to unlock the region’s agricultural potential. Although pilot projects have been discussed previously, concerted action is needed to turn these discussions into tangible results.
As stakeholders collaborate to address this pressing issue, the mobilization of unused agricultural land promises to promote sustainable agricultural practices and strengthen food security in the Balearic Islands.
