Agriculture in Spain: Regional Analysis & EU CAP

Agriculture in Spain: Regional Differences

Population involved in this activity is low. In Europe, modern production techniques (mechanization, genetic selection techniques, and fertilizers) allow for intensive agriculture with high productivity. In poorer countries, traditional techniques persist, leading to lower productivity. The size of holdings ranges from large corporate farms and family farms to small farms and smallholders, with some Eastern European countries being less competitive. Production is abundant, specialized, and focused on market sales.

Oceanic North and Northeast Peninsular Landscape

This region features a rugged physical environment and an oceanic climate. Plots are small and enclosed with many hedges. Land use is primarily focused on farming.

• Agriculture: Limited to the bottom of the valleys, with irrigated crops devoted to food and fodder plants.
• Livestock: The most important agricultural activity, with cattle and sheep herds moving from the mountains to the coastal areas.
• Settlement: Sparse, with scattered houses between concentrated population centers.

Peninsular Plateau and Ebro Depression Landscape

This region has a high-altitude plateau and, in the lower Ebro valley, a Continental Mediterranean climate. Plots vary in size. Farms are common in the valleys of the Duero and Ebro, while large properties are found in areas of Spain like La Mancha, Aragon, and Extremadura.

• Agriculture: Includes both dryland farming (*secano*) and irrigation.
• Livestock: Extensive sheep farming on the stubble of cereals, as well as sheep, swine, and cattle in the rangelands.
• Settlement: Concentrated in small villages, particularly near the Duero and Ebro valleys. Larger, more distant settlements are found in the southern half.

Mediterranean Coastal and Pre-Coastal Landscape

This area encompasses the Mediterranean coast of the peninsula. The physical environment is mountainous in the coastal plain and pre-coastal areas, with a coastal Mediterranean climate.

• Small plots in irrigated areas and medium or large plots in dry areas.
• Agriculture:
  • Secano (dryland farming): Cereals, vines, and olive trees.
  • Irrigation: Outdoor or low-plastic horticulture, stone fruits, citrus fruits, and tropical fruits.
• Livestock: Relatively unimportant. Extensive farming (sheep and goats) occurs in drylands, while intensive farming (cattle and pigs) focuses on nutrition.
• Settlement: Traditionally sparse.

Canary Islands Agricultural Landscape

The Canary Islands experience environmental stress due to their rugged volcanic terrain and subtropical climate. Plots show contrasts between small farms and large coastal properties.

• Agriculture: Coastal monoculture for export crops and tropical fruits (grown under plastic) contrasts with inland polyculture for self-sufficiency.
• Livestock: Very scarce.
• Settlement: Tends to be dispersed.

Problems in Spanish Farming and the CAP

Key challenges include:

• Depopulation of rural areas.
• Intensification of agricultural practices.
• Environmental deterioration.

The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is a European Union initiative that attempts to solve the problems of agriculture in Spain. Its goals include:

• Fair prices.
• Competitive agriculture.
• Sustainable agriculture.

Balearic Islands

• Agriculture: Rainfed and irrigated.
• Livestock: Cattle and Sheep.
• Fisheries: Minor.