An Unsustainable Situation for Rice Growers
The rice-growing community is facing a bleak outlook due to a lack of liquidity and administrative errors that have left many without access to essential aid for their activities. This year, the agricultural campaign is under threat, and farmers like Josep Masià, who cultivates rice and olives on 15 hectares, are on the brink of economic collapse.
In 2023, Masià suffered a loss of 90% of his rice harvest due to drought and cuts in water supply. This adversity has led many farmers to seek support from colleagues and suppliers, but the doors of financial institutions remain closed. The situation became even more complicated when Masià was unable to meet three social security payments, forcing him to wait until November to settle his accounts after receiving income from his harvest.
Despite having settled his debts, Masià now faces a partial blockade of his aid under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). According to him, he did not receive any clear notification regarding the requirements needed to avoid this non-payment. The Department of Agriculture argues that he should have submitted an appeal with supporting documentation beforehand.
The agricultural union Unió de Pagesos (UP), of which Masià is a member, has requested exceptional measures from the Department of Agriculture. They propose that the approved aid be used to offset the debts accumulated by farmers. This measure would allow rice growers to maintain their activities without being forced to abandon their lands or work for others.
Josep Antoni Vidal, head of the rice sector in UP, emphasizes that although these cases are minority (approximately 3%), it is crucial to address each situation with flexibility. The administration must be aware of the devastating impact that delays in payments or bureaucratic issues can have on the economic and social lives of these farmers.
Despite verbal commitments from the government towards the agricultural sector, many farmers feel they are not receiving the necessary support in critical moments. Vidal stresses that “the administration should improve its treatment” of those who sustain the country’s food production. Without significant changes in this area, the future of rice cultivation could be at risk.
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