The Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Food Sovereignty of the Government of the Canary Islands, Narvay Quintero, along with the mayor of Agaete, María del Carmen Rosario, visited emblematic farms such as Los Castaños, Café Platinium, and La Laja. The objective was to gain firsthand knowledge of the evolution of this crop, which has transitioned from a historical tradition to a high-end product and a key tourist attraction for the municipality.
Quintero, accompanied by the Vice-Minister of the Primary Sector, Eduardo García, highlighted the strategic value of this production. He emphasized its tradition, territorial roots, and its capacity to diversify agriculture, generate employment, and boost the local economy through landscape, gastronomy, and sustainable tourism. Coffee cultivation on the island dates back to the 19th century, benefiting from the favorable agroclimatic conditions of the Agaete Valley, such as its mild temperatures and high environmental humidity.
The minister stressed that while the Canary Islands cannot compete in volume with other producers, it can certainly stand out for its uniqueness and quality. Agaete coffee exemplifies this commitment to limited and differentiated production, with significant potential in the gourmet and specialty segment. The organization of a meeting for Canarian coffee producers, including training and competitions, was proposed to enhance these productions.
The model developed by these farms demonstrates the economic viability of small coffee estates by focusing on quality, direct sales, and product-associated experiences. Guided tours, tastings, workshops, and gastronomic activities centered around coffee cultivation, roasting, and processing connect agriculture, landscape, culture, and tourism. The Canary Institute of Agricultural Research is also studying the potential of specialty coffee and cocoa in the islands.
For her part, Mayor María del Carmen Rosario stated that the City Council, through Agroagaete and with the support of the Cabildo and the Government of the Canary Islands, is promoting tourism linked to the primary sector, an initiative that has received international recognition from the UN.
The farms Los Castaños, Café Platinium, and La Laja represent the transition of Agaete coffee from traditional family production to a diversified activity, focused on artisanal commercialization and offering visitor experiences. Traditional cultivation systems, featuring natural shade, thermal stability, selective manual harvesting, and sun-drying, reinforce the image of this coffee as a unique and high-quality product.
