Island president, Casimiro Curbelo, highlighted that this initiative allows for new uses of currently unused land, generating opportunities for those looking to develop or expand primary sector activities, thereby helping to maintain the territory and strengthen the island's agricultural activity.
The Minister of Primary Sector, Noelia Morales, stated that the Land Bank facilitates connections between landowners and those needing land for their projects, acting as a free public service that simplifies contact and supports both parties throughout the process.
This tool promotes the sustainable development of La Gomera's rural areas, halts the loss of agricultural land, and creates new economic and employment opportunities. The Land Bank is voluntary, public, and free, allowing owners to lease or assign land while retaining ownership rights, and enabling demanders to find suitable plots.
Currently, the platform lists nearly fifty plots offered across the island and has registered 39 demands. Beyond connecting supply and demand, the service provides information, advice, and mediation to facilitate lease or assignment agreements. The Agriculture Department also offers support, guidance, training, and technical follow-up for new agricultural projects. Recovering these areas also directly impacts land conservation, reducing risks associated with land abandonment such as increased fire hazards, pest proliferation, erosion, and rural landscape degradation.
The Council encourages owners of abandoned agricultural land to include it in the Land Bank to preserve its productive capacity and facilitate lease or assignment agreements. Those seeking land for agricultural activities can register their demand and consult available plots to start or expand their operations.
Offers and demands are managed through the TERRAE Network's Agroecological Land Bank platform, where users can register and view basic plot characteristics. The process can also be facilitated through the Council's Agriculture Department. Interested parties can contact via phone at 649 60 93 7 or email at bancodetierras@lagomera.es, and find more information on the Council of La Gomera's website.
