Key Factors Influencing Rural Development and Agriculture

Key Factors in Rural Areas

Population and Rural Trends

The rural population has suffered a steady decline since the last century. The main causes have been the rural exodus, the mechanization of the fields, and low farm incomes. Currently, 80% of the total territory of the European Union is considered rural.

The population is increasing through the processes of suburbanization (increased suburban population in the crown at the expense of the city) and counter-urbanization (a complementary process characterized by the loss of population in major cities). Rural habitats are classified as follows:

• Concentrated habitat: Usually located in areas of water scarcity, the population is clustered in a single core and may be organized in different ways.
• Scattered habitat: Characterized by a high rate of dispersion where the house is surrounded by farmland.
• Interlayer habitat: Features a certain dispersion of homes on the land alongside a small concentrated settlement.

Economic Factors in Agriculture

In recent years, there have been major changes in agricultural areas. The farm is the minimum unit of agricultural production and may consist of one or more plots. Management is held by an employer or owner. A high percentage of farm owners are still over 65 years old.

The terms "small farms" and "estates" have become outdated because they respond to a particular historical moment in the Spanish countryside. An estate refers to a large property with low returns. A smallholding responds to a subsistence economy and can be defined as a rural property that, due to its small size, cannot be profitable on its own.

Technological Advancements in Farming

Investment in the means of production is closely related to technological improvements applied to rural areas. Agricultural activities increasingly employ fewer people.

• Agricultural machinery: This is a very important factor in modern production.
• Fertilizers: Consumption in Spain remains below the EU average.
• Crop rotation: The alteration of crops to maintain soil fertility and maintain crop yields.
• Irrigation techniques: These ensure crop production each year, leading to an increased total irrigated area.

Political Factors and Regulations

Agricultural policies, regulations, and laws are intended to ensure the stability of the sector and optimal conditions for agricultural products. Various policies address structural problems in Spanish agriculture, such as water shortages or the inadequate size of farms.

Regarding the water problem, Spain has extensive experience, identifying several types of initiatives:

• The Waterworks Plan
• The creation of the National Institute of Colonization
• The National Irrigation Plan
• The Water Forum