The Valencian Association of Farmers (AVA-Asaja) values that the rains that started this past Thursday in the Valencian Community are being "positive" in general terms, according to its first assessment, except in those areas where hail has hit hard in La Ribera Alta, affecting mainly the persimmon crops and, to a lesser extent, citrus and avocados, in addition to causing soil erosion and damage to agricultural infrastructures such as rural roads, walls, and ditches in specific points of the fields of Valencia and Castellón.
The agricultural organization estimates that the hail has damaged around 500 hectares of crops and that the economic losses amount to four million euros. The municipalities most affected have been Antella, Gavarda, Alcàntera de Xúquer, Càrcer, Cotes, Sumacàrcer, and Alberic, although damage from hail has also been recorded in Xàtiva.
According to a statement, the crop with the most visible impact is the persimmon, where in the most affected plots the level of impact will reach 80% and even 100% of the harvest, just as the bulk of the harvesting is about to begin.
This episode constitutes the third severe storm that the persimmon of La Ribera has suffered in just three months, after the thermal burst in August and the storm with hail recorded in September. AVA-Asaja emphasizes that there have also been significant damages to mandarins, oranges, and avocados, although it is still early to accurately assess the marks that the hail will leave on the skin of the citrus fruits.
In the case of rice, with just over 15% of the rice fields still pending harvest, the rains maintain a high water level in the deeper areas, and if they continue in the coming days, they could compromise the remaining harvesting, warns the agricultural entity.
Moreover, AVA-Asaja points out that the rains are delaying the tasks of burning the rice straw and, in certain cases, could even prevent this practice, which would have negative effects on pest and disease control and would favor the appearance of black waters.
In this scenario, the association demands that the administrations activate direct aid and specific tax measures for the farmers affected by this new episode of climate instability. It also urges Agroseguro to accelerate the assessments so that producers can collect the undamaged fruit as soon as possible and quickly receive the corresponding compensations.
Favorable effects of the rains in the fields
In general terms, the organization emphasizes, and excepting specific areas where hail episodes or significant land erosion have occurred, the rains are having a beneficial impact on agriculture and livestock.
AVA-Asaja highlights that the water is "especially well received" in the interior of Castellón and Valencia, where there had already been four months practically without precipitation and some ranchers were forced to incur extra costs to hire water tanks and buy feed for livestock. Although most of the grapes, almonds, and carobs had already been harvested, this water contribution can alleviate the situation of the olive groves that were experiencing significant water stress.
In the orchards of the coastal regions, the rains allow for a reduction in the necessary irrigation, help to contain new pest attacks, and contribute to improving the size of the citrus fruits that are still left to be harvested, especially of the clemenules variety in the province of Castellón.