Highlighted
 

Catalonia will promote contracts for herds to graze for the purposes of fire prevention and biodiversity improvement

The Strategic Plan for extensive livestock farming in Catalonia, presented this month by Teresa Jordà, Minister of Climate Action, Food and Rural Agenda of the Government of the Generalitat, includes measures to promote models that enhance the environmental services generated by extensive livestock farming.

Jordà states that the Strategic Plan of Extensive Livestock Farming of Catalonia (PEREC) 2021-2030 aims to improve the extensive livestock farming sector during a challenging time and to highlight the important ecosystemic and social services it provides to the region. This plan prioritizes fire prevention and biodiversity, and includes the creation of herds dedicated to maintaining open forest spaces and reducing vegetation that could fuel fires.

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More agri-food news

#Innovation tools for agricultural spaces
 

The supra-municipal entity that will manage Lower Tordera Agrarian Space is born

Palafolls, Malgrat de Mar, Tordera, Santa Susanna and Blanes lead a project promoted by Barcelona Provincial Council with the aim of revaluing productive rural space and guaranteeing the continuity of agricultural activity.

(Radio Palafolls)

#Managed forests
 

Encourage farmers and ranchers to conserve the agroforestry mosaic of Collserola

With the deployment of the new Special Plan for the protection of the natural environment and landscape of the Serra de Collserola Natural Park (PEPNat), we want to give prominence and facilities to the primary sector of the natural space in a framework of co-responsibility and co-management.

(AMB)

Vegetation growth favors the recovery of soil microbial functions after a fire

A study carried out by researchers from the Forest Science and Technology Center of Catalonia (CTFC) and the University of Barcelona (UB) has shown that the high temperatures resulting from a controlled burn or a fire alter the soil biologically. However, it has been found that the recovery of plant communities favors the recovery of soil functions.

(CTFC)

#Urban gardens
 

Grandparents and students from Cornellà, together in a program to develop food education

It is a pioneering educational project with eleven schools in the city that is based on the planting of paper cabbage in the town's urban gardens.

(El Periódico)

#Climate action
 

INCAVI strengthens international ties for the future of the vineyard in extreme conditions

The Catalan Institute of Vine and Wine (INCAVI) and the Center for Research, Studies, Protection, Coordination and Valorization of Mountain Viticulture (CERVIM) have joined forces to work on mountain viticulture research that it can become a solution to the challenges posed by the climate emergency.

(Arrels)

#Sustainable food systems
 

The Catalan Food Council begins monitoring the Food Strategy of Catalonia

Catalonia has a food strategy that began to be implemented at the beginning of 2021 and will last until 2026. To follow the marked roadmap, the action of the Catalan Food Council is key.

(Government of Catalonia)

#Generational Renewal
 

Land banks powered by Barcelona Provincial Council grow by 40%

Right now they have 50 properties available, which represents around 332 hectares.

(BCN Smart Rural)

Barcelona Provincial Council is committed to the recovery of abandoned fields

A new action by Land Banks Network envisages the re-establishment of agricultural activity on 22 hectares currently in disuse in the Barcelona regions.

(BCN Smart Rural)

Recovering abandoned agricultural estates promotes generational relief in the Catalan countryside

The Land Banks Network that drives the Barcelona Provincial Council stars in the new 'BCN Smart Rural Story'.

(BCN Smart Rural)

#Agricultural transformation
 

The Xarxa d'Food Processing Facilities Compartits launches a new training program for young food artisans

Promoted by Barcelona Provincial Council, the initiative aims to promote collaborative entrepreneurship and facilitate agricultural relief in Barcelona's districts.

(BCN Smart Rural)

#Tradelocal and nearby
 

The demand for local products is growing as a result of the pandemic

6% of agricultural production in Catalonia is marketed through direct sales or the short circuit.

(Lower Tordera Agrarian Space)

Starting shot at the 2nd edition of 'Sustainable Markets. Goodbye to single-use plastics'

This Barcelona Provincial Council initiative promotes the reduction of single-use plastics in municipal markets for the benefit of the environment and health, promotes sustainable trade and responsible consumption, positions municipal markets as agents of social cohesion and sustainability, and encourages citizen participation.

(Barcelona Provincial Council)

#Waste and food waste
 

The fight against food waste is getting stronger in Tordera

About thirty volunteers participate in the Lower Tordera Agrarian Space espigolade organized as part of the 2nd Espigolades Marathon.

(Ona Malgrat)

#Agrifood marketing
 

The Origen Montserrat market is consolidating

The fair was born in June to promote the foods of Montserrat Rural Park and has already become the main gastronomic event in the territory.

(BCN Smart Rural)

The Bio Week is ten years old

The Bio Week for organic food has become an important event to introduce and make known organic production and food to the population.

(Government of Catalonia)

The countryside will meet the city at the Festa Arrels

The Barcelona Maritime Museum will host the Arrels Festival on November 19. The day, full of activities, will include a farmer's market with stands of producers from the Land Products Network that promotes Barcelona Provincial Council.

(Arrels)

#Agrifood communication
 

'The peasantry that comes', the revolution arrives in the countryside

Catalonia has lost nearly 5,000 farmers in the last ten years but there is a group of young people ready to change this trend by proposing a paradigm shift. The program '30 minutes' presents it to us.

(CCMA)

#Interviews
 

Gessamí Sardà: «A cultivated territory is a well-kept territory and it is more difficult to burn it »

The land bank expert explains how a key tool works to recover abandoned fields and attract young agricultural entrepreneurs.

(BCN Smart Rural)

Xavier Fontanet: "The CFGM in Agroecological Production provides vital strategic value for society"

The teacher of the training cycle created together with the Lower Tordera Agrarian Space evaluates its operation.

(Lower Tordera Agrarian Space)

Carme Plana: "In Can Plana all our lives we have done forest fire prevention with herds"

The Vallgorguina sheep and goat meat producer talks in this interview about the difficulties and pleasures of living and working in the rural world.

(Nació Digital)

Josep Maria Gibert: "Olesà oil is very balanced and with a certain sweetness that makes it very pleasant when eating"

The secretary of the Olesana Agricultural Foundation explains the importance of olive cultivation in Montserrat Rural Park.

(Montserrat Rural Park)

Raquel Castro: "Farmers' markets are a very good initiative to give value to artisans"

The Montserrat Rural Park cheesemaker is committed to innovation and the creation of new dairy products.

(Montserrat Rural Park)

Carolyn Steel: "I don't think we should stop eating meat"

The architect and essayist defends in her book 'Sitopia' (Capità Swing) the need to change the industrial processes of agricultural and livestock production, and consumer habits.

(La Vanguardia)

#Opinion
 

For sustainable sustainability

Toni Massanés, director of the Alicia Foundation, talks in this article about the challenges of food sustainability.

(La Vanguardia)

— BCN Smart Rural Editorial —