Foreign Farmers in Spain
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Foreign farmers in Spain As I have interviewed only five farmers, I cannot make a new theory, or assert fundamental statements. I only want to encourage thinking about new and unexpected conclusions I come to. I will like to pause on about differences in law norms of ecological agriculture which is in use in EU and member states as a representation of the official ideas of ecological agriculture and about the living reality of these five farms. In form of action research I would like speak especially about themes which represent problems to farmers, and which can be improved. I split findings with overreach known and constructive premises to two groups: migration and economical aspects. Migration All farmers came to Spain without experience with the country; many of them cannot speak Spanish at the beginning and a lot of them until present times. And what is most interesting for me, is the fact that all pull factors of their migration, are very weak. I am not afraid say that all of them have only one pull factor – the sun. The fact that they have stayed in Spain for already five or eight years is accidental. Modern Europe migration is now much easier than ever. People came from one country to another without sufficient knowledge. That can cause many problems in the integration process, and according to my results it is that way. It is surprising that none of the farmers had problems in the beginning. All the beginnings went quite well. But in the period of integration and long-term residence, that does not continue. Many of them live alternative isolated life and work. However, it has to be said that this can be caused by their alternative way of life in a rather conservative Spanish countryside. The fact that the farmers do not know any other ecological farmers in their area is incredible, because immigrants always search community of their compatriots or professions. These immigrant nets are very important for life in unknown country, or isolated craft, like ecological farming is. Only one group of farmers makes such compatriots net – the British. However, we can see well in the example the traps of such institution; they do not learn nor use the local language, do not search for local life and are isolated from the native society. Definitely but this migrants unpreparedness the farmer rescue by agriculture preparation, and on this base should come support. Like non-profit organizations, state, or self- activities of farmers in connection and better cooperation and awareness. Economics In ecological agriculture of these proportions it is normal that none of the farmers sell their products. However, the fact that none of the farmers is interested or have knowledge about grants and subsidies from the EU or Spain was shocking. In the European Union, the agriculture is mainly based on subsidies and grants, and the EU invests heavily sector. It is very needed to improve knowledge about these parts of the EU policies and make all needed support to farmers. Principles and goals of ecological agriculture Concerning the EU principles and goals of ecological agriculture, five from six main characteristic lines were reflected in the farmers thinking and methods of taking care about the soil: rational usage of waste, exploitation of renewable sources and no use of dangerous chemical substances and no growing GMO. None of them ponders about the upkeeping of ecological stability of agricultures elements. Under this conception we can imagine for example protection of significant landscape elements, which „ are woods, peaty, moors, rivers, lakes, flood plains“1, glade etc. This part of ecological agriculture is now the very important, and most of grants and subsidies of the EU are paid off on these projects. Upkeeping ecological stability of agriculture elements has now become in Europe after one hundred and fifty yers of industrial revolution a major priority. Evolution and support of landscaping projects deserve special care. It is really interesting that none of the farmers was interested in the chapter of nature protection. The EU should focus more on the support and motivation of this issue. 1 Law n. 114/1992 Sb., about protection of nature and landscape. Attachment: Interviews Q: questions A: answers Your Name: Yair Sagy Contact: 0034680-332169, [email protected] Your Location: Lanjaron, Granada, Spain Q: When did you come to Spain? A: 2002 Q: Why did you choose Spain? A: What had influenced your decision? Since I am from Israel I was looking to move together with my wife and daughter to a peaceful place with no wars but which is not far from Israel, with good climate and culture that is connected deeply to its roots. Q: What was your motivation to leave? Why did you leave you country? A: Answer included in previous question. Q: Had you had any experience with Spain before you moved here? A: No Q: Had you had any experience with agriculture before you come to Spain? What kind? A: Me and my wife are from Kibutz in Israel (not the same one). So we been raised in agriculture environment although I personally didn't worked much in agriculture, I worked allot with cows and in the plastic factory of the kibbutz. Q: Had you had any other employment apart from agriculture? Which? A: Apart from what I mentioned I also trained as an holistic therapist doing Chinese medicine, Acupuncture and Shiatsu. Q:Why did you start with agriculture? Why organic? A: We started to cultivate our olive farm simply because we have bought thuis land with 130 olive treas and 30 almond treas and we feel responsebility to the land and the treas. We also belive that humans and the earth should be respected therre for we don't contaminate the earth and neurish our treas and our selvs with the best food. Q:What is the main difference between organic and conventional agriculture for you? A:Organic agriculture takes in to acount the health of our planet and humans and conventional agriculture does it less or not at all. Q: What is most important about organic farming for you? A: The conciousness of unity between plants, earth and humans. Q: Was leaving your country and begining here hard for you? What where the first difficulties? A: No, it wasn't hard. The only dificulty is that my daughter doesn't enjoy our life style. Q: What are the main difficulties now? A: Some times it is hard to keep up with the demands of the farm. For that we use the help of the WOOFF organisation when we recieve people to help us in exchange for eoom and boord. Q: Did you take advice from the local farmers? A: Yes Q: How do you relate to local farmers? A: We respect them and have great friendship with them. Q: Do you know other organic farmers around? A: Yes Q: Do you join in the local (social) life? A:Yes . And how? We go to different activities but not very often. Q: Do you sell any of your products? Where, to whom do you sell them? A: We sell our olive oil to clients who we treat. Q: Are you geting any grants or dotation? A: No Q: Can you live from your production (are you self-sufficient) if not, what do you buy? A: We can't leave of our farm and we buy some vegetables and fruits. Q: How important is selling of your products for you? What would be the ideal profit? Do you have any other income? A: We allways sell the extra oil we produce. The ideal profit is 3 times higher than the same amount for non organic olive oil. Our main income is alternative medicine treatments. Q: Do you export? A: No Q: Is there a big demand for organic products in Spain? A: Not where we leave since many people grow organic here. Q: What do you perceive (think) are the biggest ecological impacts of conventional agriculture in Spain? A: I am not sure. Q: Do you think ecological farming could replace conventional agriculture? Can it feed all people? Is it an alternative? A: Yes I think it is possible if the govermants will support it. Q: What does the quality of your products mean for you? How did you garantee it? A: We cultivate our farm with integrity not to use products that are bad for the enviroment. We belong to organic farms associasion (La Flor de la Alpujarras) that has a conroling body who comes for inspections once a year. Q: How does the work differ in the individul seasons of the year? (And what are the differencies from your country?) A: Our main work concentrated between September and February when we harvest our Almonds and than the olives folowing by pruning the treas. In the summer we maily ireigating. Q: Hou does it influence your life? A: We are very busy always. Q: Hou does your food (what you eat) change in the individual season of the year? A: In summer and autom and spring we have more food from our garden. Your Name: Katherine Chapman Contact: [email protected] Your Location: Zagra, province of Granada Q: When did you come to Spain? A: 2001 Q: Why did you choose Spain? What had influenced your decision? A: Liked the country and the people and initially wanted a holiday home Q: What was your motivation to leave? Why did you leave you country? A: We found a bargain property: two houses and a flat with pool and decided to try running it as holiday lettings.