During a visit by the Head of the regional Department of Agriculture and Water, Sara Rubira, to the local rice fields, Calasparra Town Hall made an official request for more direct help for rice farmers and agrarian organisations that support them in order to encourage the cultivation of rice.
Among the local delegation were local councillors, Sebastián Prieto, Antonio Merino and Juan Bernal, the President of the Regulating Committee DOP Arroz Calasparra, José Martínez, the Head of the Cooperativa del Campo Virgen de la Esperanza, Juan Antonio Cantero, and the President, Juan Egea and the Head of the Arroz Flor de Calasparra, María Haro.
Merino also asked the Region to increase the regional budget for farmers, businesses and cooperative to alleviate the effects of the drought and provide a line of assistance to subsidize the initial cost of agrarian insurance.
He also underlined the need for a bridge to unite Esparragal and the RM-714, which was so important for farmers and the necessity for a control organisation which guaranteed adherence to the Law of the Food Chain and the creation of an Obervatory of Prices.
This year the rice harvest is expected to be nine percent higher, than last reaching 2.5 million kilos and 500 hectares will be cultivated compared to 467 last year.
Rubira recognized Calasparra rice as “One of the emblems of the region of Murcia, appreciated and in demand internationally, that generated employment and wealth, not only for Calasparra and Moratalla, but for the surrounding areas.»
She also acknowledged the » fight to maintain the traditional methods of cultivation that respected the environment».
The regional government has colaborated with the cultivation of rice by investing 14,000 euros during the last few years to implant a method of sexual confusion against the «barrenador» (worm, which causes massive damage) and has colaborated to eliminate phytosanitary problems
Merino also asked the Region to increase the regional budget for farmers, businesses and cooperative to alleviate the effects of the drought and provide a line of assistance to subsidize the initial cost of agrarian insurance.
He also underlined the need for a bridge to unite Esparragal and the RM-714, which was so important for farmers and the necessity for a control organisation which guaranteed adherence to the Law of the Food Chain and the creation of an Obervatory of Prices.
This year the rice harvest is expected to be nine percent higher, than last reaching 2.5 million kilos and 500 hectares will be cultivated compared to 467 last year.
Rubira recognized Calasparra rice as “One of the emblems of the region of Murcia, appreciated and in demand internationally, that generated employment and wealth, not only for Calasparra and Moratalla, but for the surrounding areas.»
She also acknowledged the » fight to maintain the traditional methods of cultivation that respected the environment».
The regional government has colaborated with the cultivation of rice by investing 14,000 euros during the last few years to implant a method of sexual confusion against the «barrenador» (worm, which causes massive damage) and has colaborated to eliminate phytosanitary problems
