Improved irrigation brings back the return of Cordoban garlic, which has sought other areas for cultivation

Thus, large producers did not hesitate to rent land in areas such as the banks of the Duero River in Valladolid, the banks of the Guadiana River in Extremadura or areas with groundwater in Castilla-La Mancha. Others stayed a little closer because they found suitable land in the Antequera area or in the triangle it formed Ecija, Palma del Río, and Laura del Río.

According to producer Miguel del Pino, the drought was a before and after for some small farmers who decided to give up garlic cultivation. As a matter of fact 7000 hectares planted Of garlic in rural Cordoba in strong years there are only about 4,000 left.

Large producers were forced to look for other lands because they had to face the huge demand for garlic for export. Del Pino adds that if he had not done so, there would not have been enough goods to satisfy foreign markets. And about 90 percent of production Goes to this external market.

Miguel Rose, Mayor of Montalban, speaks in the same vein. He added that countries such as Japan, many Central European countries and America expect to produce Cordoba garlic every year and the producing companies They couldn’t risk it Not having enough merchandise when it’s time to sell.

The advisor confirms that job opportunities in warehouses are not lost even if garlic is grown abroad because the product returns after being harvested to Cordoba warehouses to be prepared and sold. We must not forget that That water shortageIt seems that the rains that fell over the past two years have been addressed so far, and it is not the only problem.

Miguel del Pino believes that there is a scarcity of labor in the countryside and the difficulty of working there Use of phytosanitary products to treat crops There are other obstacles imposed by the European Union that must be overcome. For this reason, he believes the future is difficult for small farms.

For his part, Manuel Vaquero said of garlic. Grandma Carmen realizes that since last year’s campaign, fewer entrepreneurs have been looking for land abroad to farm because they are starting out Reduce irrigation restrictions Either in Genil Capra or on the left bank of the Guadalquivir River.

But he emphasizes that traveling abroad guarantees production for the huge foreign market that buys his production. In their case, they chose Some land in the Sierra de Yeguas In the province of Malaga. However, to get good seeds they do it in highlands like Syria or Valladolid.

Vaquero also distinguishes between small producers and large producers since it is the latter that can overcome setbacks such as drought. Although he also talks about the problem of obtaining labor, he believes that obtaining labor in Cordoba is easier than in other regions because… There are foreign workers who remain free From other campaigns and is more easily integrated into the garlic campaign in May.