Dryland almond trees will disappear from the Balearic landscape: "In five years there won't be a single one left"

"In five years there won't be a single one left dryland almond treeIn the Balearic Islands, according to the head of the Agricultural Service, Andreu Juan, in his appearance before the Parliament's Climate Change Commission on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries this Wednesday, only 7,000 remain, a figure that demonstrates that this crop is currently "in short supply." This tree was traditionally cultivated in the Balearic Islands because it withstood drought, the Mediterranean climate, and did not require high maintenance costs. However, more work and care of the land is needed to obtain results.XylellaA bacterium that clogs the vessels through which sap circulates. This prevents water and nutrients from reaching the leaves, leading to a loss of production and even the death of the tree.

"The landscape of almond trees in bloom in January and February has ended as a result of the climate changeThe remaining dryland almond trees will die, and no new plantings will be made because they are not economically viable, even in a context of Xylellaand adverse weather events,” he emphasized. Juan indicated that, despite the loss of these farms, the hectares formerly occupied by almond trees are now filled with forest and reminded everyone that the Government provides aid of up to 75% for the costs of establishing irrigated plantations. ~BK_S irrigated almond orchard area in the Balearic Islands, according to data from the Ministry of Agriculture.Xylella because it has more consistent harvests than dryland farming. All of this leads farmers to opt for this type of cultivation.