Lairaga Tropical project will convert 100ha of disused land into mango, avocado and papaya farms
Gran Canaria-based cooperative Cooperativa Agrícola del Norte has teamed up with the island’s government to convert 100ha of unused agricultural land into production of high-value tropical fruit.
As part of the Lairaga Tropical project, the government will invest €708,000 in the construction of a new packing facility handling fruit from 45ha of mango production, 40ha of avocados and 15ha of papayas located in the municipalities of La Aldea de San Nicolás, Mogán, San Bartolomé de Tirajana, Santa María de Guía, Santa Lucía de Tirajana, Firgas, Arucas, Telde, and Valleseco.
Speaking at an event held to present the project to the local community, Antonio Morales, president of the island’s government, said: “This project is unique in Europe due to its strong social and environmental commitment. It stands out for its creation of long-term employment, training and professionalisation of the sector, the promotion of environmentally friendly farming techniques, and the guarantee of generational renewal.
“It brings together everything we have always advocated regarding diversification around strategic sectors, such as food sovereignty and water security on the island, which are absolutely essential for our survival,” he maintained, “and it will allow Gran Canaria to continue leading the production and export of subtropical fruits in the Canary Islands.”
Víctor García, secretary of Cooperativa Agrícola del Norte, explained that the cooperative is working in collaboration with the Land Bank to identify suitable farms.
With more than 4,700ha, Gran Canaria has the largest area dedicated to fruit production on the archipelago. Of this, just over 3,000ha is used for subtropical fruits including bananas, papaya, mango, avocado and dragon fruit, amongst others.
