The Director General of Agricultural and Livestock Production, María Àngels Ramón-Llin, has highlighted "the economic, social, and environmental value of the cherry from the mountains of Alicante" and has reiterated "the commitment of the Generalitat to the sector through support lines aimed at ensuring the viability of agricultural holdings affected by climatic adversities."
"The cherry from the mountains of Alicante is much more than an agricultural product; it is employment, local economy, landscape, tourism, and population retention in our inland regions," stated Ramón-Llin.
In this regard, the head of Agricultural and Livestock Production specified that the Ministry of Agriculture has recently approved 417,731 euros in aid directed at irrigated cherry holdings damaged by adverse climatic episodes, environmental factors, and fires in the Valencian Community, "a support line that is added to the previously announced call for rainfed holdings, which amounted to 1,036,744.52 euros."
Ramón-Llin made these statements during the closing of the 'El Tall de la Cirera 2026' event held in Alcoi (Alicante), as reported by the regional administration in a statement.
"We are aware," she emphasized, "of the difficulties the sector has faced in recent years, and that is why we have continued to work to meet the needs of producers and contribute to maintaining agricultural activity and the future of this crop linked to the territory and recognized for its Protected Geographical Indication."
At the same time, she stressed that the excellence of the cherry from the area "is not the result of chance, but of the privileged environment of the mountains of Alicante, its climatic conditions, and the constant effort of generations of farmers who have managed to keep this traditional crop alive."
The Director General also focused on the importance of generational change to "guarantee the future of the agricultural sector in the inland regions." In this context, she recalled that the Generalitat has granted 548 aids to young and new farmers and ranchers in the Valencian Community for a total of 27.44 million euros.
In the province of Alicante, 91 grants have been approved, of which 67 are for young farmers and 24 for new entrants, with a global investment of 4.3 million euros. The average amount of these subsidies stands at 49,701 euros for young farmers and 40,417 euros for new professionals joining the sector.
In the region of l'Alcoià, the Ministry of Agriculture has authorized five aid packages to "promote generational renewal in the agricultural sector," three of them for young farmers and two for new professionals starting in the activity.
These grants, which total 230,000 euros, will allow action on 85 hectares of cultivation, including 48 hectares of olive groves, 37 of almond trees, and eight recovered for production, in addition to livestock farms with 1,854 rabbits.
"Supporting young farmers also means preserving the landscape, the rural economy, and our agricultural traditions," highlighted Ramón-Llin, who also emphasized that "maintaining crops such as cherries contributes to conserving a unique environment and generating new opportunities linked to rural tourism, restoration, and local commerce."