asaaja alicante has expressed satisfaction with the Valencian government's decision to approve two million euros in direct aid for dryland cereal farmers in the region. This financial support comes in response to significant losses incurred during the summer months of June, July, and August 2026, when farmers were unable to access their fields due to extreme wildfire risk alerts.
Ramón Espinosa, the technical secretary of asaaja alicante, stated, “We are pleased that the Conselleria de Agricultura has addressed our demands regarding the losses suffered by a sector already heavily impacted. Farmers were unable to harvest their crops at the right time due to restrictions aimed at preventing wildfires.”
The aid is intended for farmers whose operations were affected by level 3 pre-emergency wildfire alerts, which restricted access to fields and the use of agricultural machinery during critical harvesting periods.
asaaja alicante has long advocated for compensation for the economic losses resulting from these restrictions. Espinosa emphasised, “When administrative restrictions prevent agricultural work at the appropriate time, leading to financial losses, the administration must take responsibility and create compensation mechanisms. Farmers cannot always bear the consequences.”
In some instances, these restrictions resulted in reduced production, compromised crop quality, and even total harvest failure. The organisation highlighted that farmers are the primary guardians of rural areas and are highly motivated to prevent any wildfires, adhering strictly to prevention protocols. However, they have reported instances where harvesting was prohibited even when conditions on the ground were safe.
Despite these challenges, asaaja acknowledges the importance of the direct aid as a means to support the cereal sector in alicante, allowing farmers to manage the current campaign and aiding the recovery and viability of many operations.
Challenges facing cereal farmers
asaaja alicante also warned that producers have been grappling with a particularly difficult situation over recent campaigns, characterised by low rainfall, drought, extreme temperatures, and rising costs of agricultural diesel and other inputs. Additionally, damage caused by wildlife, particularly mouflons and rabbits, has become a significant concern for local cereal farmers.
The organisation reported in late July that cereal production had declined by up to 30% due to the aforementioned factors, including wildfire restrictions and soaring prices of diesel and fertilisers.
Future planning for harvest and fire prevention
asaaja alicante plans to request a joint meeting with the Conselleria de Agricultura and the Conselleria de Medio Ambiente to proactively discuss the planning of the next cereal campaign. They aim to establish a protocol that allows for the safe harvesting of crops while maintaining fire prevention measures.
The organisation is looking to the agreement reached on 3 November between asaaja and Castilla-La Mancha as a model, which includes measures to relax restrictions based on adjacent forest areas, create safety zones, and provide alternatives for required prevention teams during extreme risk days.
asaaja alicante is advocating for similar measures tailored to the specific characteristics of the alicante region to ensure that cereal farmers can continue their activities without interruption during pre-emergency alerts.
