The Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Food Sovereignty has managed a total of €19.9 million in subsidies for young farmers and ranchers between 2023 and 2026. The President of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo, and the Minister Narvay Quintero inaugurated the 2026 Agrarian Generational Relevo Meeting on July 23rd at the Tacoronte Agrarian Training School (ECA).
This meeting brought together young beneficiaries of aid from the Strategic Plan for Common Agricultural Policy (PEPAC) to foster connections, share experiences, and gather improvement proposals. Clavijo highlighted that the Executive has strengthened support measures by improving regulatory bases and increasing available credits to prevent viable projects by young individuals from being abandoned due to lack of financial support.
A total of 275 young people have applied for this aid, which is granted to incentivize the creation of agricultural businesses and ensure the continuity of these activities on the islands. The president emphasized the government's responsibility to reduce barriers and provide the necessary tools for young people's ideas to become viable projects generating economic activity and employment.
Minister Narvay Quintero stressed that financial support is complemented by continuous technical assistance, from defining the business idea to the initial years of development, to ensure project viability. He highlighted the importance of specialized training linked to the sector's real needs, emphasizing the role of the Tacoronte ECA.
The meeting also included the presentation of seven business experiences from young people across different islands, who shared their journeys and challenges. Subsequently, technical roundtables were held to analyze project evolution and gather proposals, including difficulties in accessing land and water, and the need for administrative procedure simplification.
Quintero stated that these results will guide the department's future actions, prioritizing access to basic resources, de-bureaucratization, and legislative flexibility. The event concluded with a cocktail made with local products by young farmer Sheila Rodríguez de León, showcasing local production.
