Huelva's agriculture has 6,583 hectares devoted to strawberries and other red berries covered by combined agricultural insurances this 2015-2016 season. For the territorial delegate of Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development, Pedro Pascual Hernández, this is "more than promising," as it entails that 67.46 percent of Huelva's total berry acreage, which amounts to 9,758 hectares, is protected by this "fundamental insurance" against the ever uncontrollable climatic adversities.
Speaking to Europa Press, Pedro Pascual Hernández praised the "firm commitment" of Huelva's producers to this tool, which "guarantees an income and, accordingly, provides them with greater certainty, given the unpredictability of the weather and its impact."
He is convinced that such insurances will "experience a new boost from next year," as financial support will once again be granted by the Council of Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development with the allocation of five million Euro for the entire autonomous region.
The territorial delegate believes in the importance of further promoting agricultural insurances, "since it is the best tool to ensure stability and bring peace of mind, given that a storm can appear in minutes and ruin the livelihood of thousands of families."
Combined agricultural insurances already cover some 4,500 hectares of strawberry plantations, 76.79 percent of the total acreage planted with this berry in the current season, which now stands at 5,860 hectares, following the second consecutive reduction due to a greater crop diversification.
Meanwhile, 1,047 hectares of raspberries, 57.68 percent of the 1,815 hectares planted in Huelva, are protected. In the case of blueberries, insurances cover 943 hectares of a total of 1,953; 48.28 percent of the total. Lastly, 93 of the 130 hectares devoted to blackberries, 71.54 percent of the total, are protected by combined agricultural insurances.
