The Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Food Sovereignty of the Government of the Canary Islands, Narvay Quintero, has stated that the Archipelago has 2,041 organic production operators, covering 9,761 hectares and involving 271 related industries, according to the latest data from 2025. These figures were presented during the inauguration of the IX Forum on Agroecology and Biodiversity in the Canary Islands, held in Gáldar (Gran Canaria).
The Government of the Canary Islands is developing an Action Plan for the Development of Agroecology, which includes 62 measures to address challenges such as water access, commercialization, product processing, and generational renewal. The aim is to improve farm profitability and ensure that added value remains within the islands.
The forum, organized by the Government of the Canary Islands, the Cabildo of Gran Canaria, and the Gáldar City Council, brought together sector professionals, institutional representatives, and specialists. The first deputy mayor of Gáldar, Julio Mateo Castillo, emphasized the municipality's agricultural vocation and the importance of promoting local products. The Director of Water Security for the Cabildo, José Juan Pérez, highlighted the forum as an opportunity to showcase sustainable agricultural initiatives.
Minister Quintero also praised the Ecocomedores de Canarias Program, which provides fresh, local food to approximately 36,000 diners in 190 centers, promoting healthy eating habits and the connection between the Canarian countryside and society. Organic livestock farming on the islands includes 1,103 head of cattle, over 10,600 poultry, 1,608 rabbits, and 1,760 beehives.
The Action Plan for the Development of Agroecology is structured around six axes, twenty lines of action, and 62 measures, resulting from a participatory process. Proposals cover water availability, agricultural land protection, access to inputs, production processing and commercialization, consumption and public procurement, generational renewal, and administrative simplification.
The Director of ICCA, Luis Arráez Guadalupe, stressed the need to strengthen connections between organic production, the agri-food industry, distribution, hospitality, tourism, and public administrations to expand commercialization opportunities. The IX Forum, themed “The Care of Life,” pays special attention to the role of women in agriculture and livestock farming.
The program will conclude on Sunday, October 25th, with the Canary Islands Agroecology and Biodiversity Fair in Santiago square, Gáldar, featuring organic producer stalls, traditional seed exchanges, workshops, and tastings.
