Abstract
Abstract This work examines changes in the cultivation of olive groves in the region of Andalusia since the accession of Spain to the European Common Market (1986). The first phase is marked by the triumph of productivism in which some of the basic elements of this model (specialisation and intensification) are overwhelming, according to the statistical sources used for this research, although the behaviour in terms of corporate concentration can be considered unique. Also notable, as we will explain later, are other less desirable effects of the process, which can currently be considered environmentally unsustainable. As the weaknesses and contradictions of the model have become evident, in the recent years - as a result of the new stimuli provided by the Common Agricultural Policy - more attention is paid to the opportunities offered by rural development. For the moment, the results of this approach have been limited, although the 2015-2020 planning period could be decisive for its reorientation.
Highlights
The role of woody crops in the Mediterranean is explained by their ability to overcome the difficulties imposed by summer aridity
As the weaknesses and contradictions of the model have become evident, in the recent years – as a result of the new stimuli provided by the Common Agricultural Policy – more attention is paid to the opportunities offered by rural development
The expansion, through the process of substitution of arable crops mainly on rain-fed land – there have been no lack of examples of the expansion of the agricultural frontier onto forested land – has changed the usual pattern of the geographical location of the olive groves, mostly by occupying low- or medium-grade land, but was found to be colonising the most fertile land, a fact that can be seen very well if we compare the distribution of olive groves in relation to the capacity of land use at different times (Paniza et al 2015)
Summary
The role of woody crops in the Mediterranean is explained by their ability to overcome the difficulties imposed by summer aridity. The adoption of the Agenda 2000 introduced a more territorial vision, promoting a model of multifunctional agriculture that, in addition to maintaining its economic competitiveness, was environmentally sustainable, generating quality products and the ability to create jobs and wealth for those who maintain the social fabric of the rural communities (Parra Lopez, Sayadi Gmada 2009) As it could not be otherwise, this evolutionary framework of the CAP is perfectly recognisable in the olive groves. It was intended to provide a sort of flat tariff per area, to which would be added a quantity towards green assistance for making commitments to the climate, environment and crop diversification These initial assumptions clashed strongly with the interests of the sector, since they were not sufficiently big to cover the large number of holders of entitlements generated in the past, nor were they reasonable for addressing the huge disparities, both geographical and in terms of the agricultural holdings, that could be verified in the territory. The total amount of funds available for such assistance under the first pillar has been reduced, so that the rural development programme contemplated for the sector takes on greater prominence (Sánchez et al 2015)
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