Organic agriculture continues to makeprogress in the Canary Islands, while at the same time raising interest amongst producers, processors, traders and consumers. In the Canary Islands, more than 1,000 operators are devoted to organics, which corresponds to 16% of the Islands' agricultural acreage.
According to data provided by the Control and Certification Service of the Canarian Institute for Agrofood Quality (ICCA), the Canary Islands devote 6,564 hectares to organic agriculture. From those, 5,210 are used for pasture and fodder cultivation, 451 hectares for vineyards, and 372 hectares for fruit, mainly bananas and avocados.
The island of El Hierro is where organic production has become more extended, with 4,597 hectares, from which 4,518 are devoted to pasture and fodder. It is followed by Tenerife, with 920 hectares; La Palma, with 343 hectares; Gran Canaria, with 298 hectares; Fuerteventura, with 202 hectares; Lanzarote, with 175 hectares; and La Gomera, with 26 hectares.
The Canarian Council of Agriculture has also introduced initiatives in favour of organics, such as the Organic School Canteens Program; a project which started in April and in which seven schools decided to take part, one for each island. The initiative has made it possible to introduce an alternative menu that includes seasonal and local fresh products.