Cantabria has managed to incorporate 221 young people into the agricultural sector over the last three years—74 in 2024, 70 in 2025, and 76 during 2026—“thanks to the calls promoted by the current Executive,” and in contrast with the 2022 data, when “only” 34 new authorizations for new entries were approved, “the lowest figure in the historical series.”
Thus it has been stated by the Minister of Rural Development, Livestock Farming, Fishing and Food, María Jesús Susinos, during her appearance this Wednesday before the Economy and Finance Commission, where she defended the draft budget for her department for 2027. The accounts of the Ministry will reach 133.9 million euros, which represents an increase of 9.1% compared with the previous fiscal year, that is, 11.2 million more.
To this allocation are added the European funds FEADER and FEAGA, which total around 72 million euros, so that the total volume that the Ministry will manage next year will be around 206 million euros.
The minister has emphasized that, “in the face of projects that were stalled, we are carrying out actions; in the face of resources that have not been mobilized, we are generating investment; and in the face of the decline in new incorporations, we have managed to bring in 221 new farmers and livestock breeders in three years.”
Susinos has highlighted the new Cantabria Livestock Generational Renewal Program, focused on advising, accompanying, and monitoring farms with no direct handover. This plan will be completed with the implementation of a Generational Renewal Pool and a specific Observatory to anticipate needs and guarantee the continuity of farms.
In this line, she clarified that between 2024 and 2026, a total of 164 students have followed the courses for joining agricultural activity organized by the CIFA.
Training and qualifications in the fishing sector
With regard to the fishing sector, Susinos highlighted the work coordinated with the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training to officially recognize the professional competencies acquired through work experience.
Thanks to this program, 206 fishermen have obtained official qualifications in the last three years. Of them, 37 have achieved the Technician title in Maintenance and Control of Ship Machinery; 110 have reached the Technician title in Navigation and Coastal Fishing; and 59 have obtained the Higher Technician title in Maritime Transport and Offshore Fishing.
LEADER mobilizes 34.8 million in rural investment
The adviser has also focused on the results of the LEADER initiative, which she has described as a "fundamental" tool for generating economic activity and new opportunities in rural municipalities.
Following the reprogramming of the available funds and with the backing of the European Commission, the Local Action Groups have processed 664 applications, signed 334 contracts, committed 12.8 million euros in public aid, and mobilized 34.8 million euros in investment in rural areas.
As she has said, "for every euro of LEADER aid, 2.7 euros of investment are generated, which demonstrates the capacity of this tool to drive businesses, employment, and economic activity in rural areas".
More than 24 million for livestock farms
In the livestock sector, Susinos has explained that the regional Government has allocated, in the last two years, more than 24 million euros in its own funds in order to strengthen support for farms, tackle emerging diseases, streamline administrative management, and update key tools such as the Livestock Portal.
Among the most notable actions, she has mentioned the new Purebred Breeding Plan, already up and running and funded with 9 million euros for a three-year period; the consolidation of the Cantabria Meat Plan, with 1.1 million euros, and the launch next year of the Cantabria Milk Plan, the design of which will be addressed in a specific meeting with the sector.
Likewise, she has emphasized improvements to the working conditions of the Natural Environment Agents and Forest Firefighters, along with actions such as the imminent completion of the facility in the comarca 10 and the start of projects to build new facilities in Campoo-Los Valles and Pas-Pisueña. This is added to by the renewal of the fleet of all-terrain vehicles and the planned purchase of eight new fire engines to reinforce the device against forest fires.
Boost for forest policy and the timber industry
In forestry matters, the adviser has defended the need for an ambitious policy in a community where more than 68% of the territory is of a forest nature.
She has valued that, "for the first time in a long time", the new budget includes measures proposed directly by the sector, with the aim of consolidating stable planning in the management of the forests and promoting the development of the timber industry.
The head of Rural Development has insisted that the accounts presented respond to a “global” strategy for the primary sector and rural development of Cantabria.
The regional official has stressed that the Government’s goal is to establish “a strong, profitable, modern and forward-looking primary sector,” supported by ongoing listening to the sector, the mobilization of resources, and improving public management.