The Canary Islands’ Department of Ecological Transition and Energy is hosting a series of regional forums titled “The Future of Canary Agriculture Facing Climate Change” across Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria, and La Palma. These events aim to provide the agricultural sector with scientific and technical knowledge about the impacts of climate change and potential adaptation measures.
The forums will bring together professionals, technical staff, agricultural organisations, and interested citizens. Their goal is to present key findings from a government-led project assessing the vulnerability of the archipelago’s farming and livestock sectors to current and future climate scenarios.
Mariano H. Zapata, the area’s councillor, emphasised the direct effects climate change is already having on agriculture and livestock in the Canary Islands. He stated that it is crucial to provide the sector with tools, knowledge, and experiences to better prepare for these challenges.
Zapata noted that hosting the forums on different islands will allow for tailored discussions that address each island’s unique characteristics and facilitate direct feedback from those working in the field. “These forums provide a chance for professionals, government, and the scientific community to share solutions and strategies that will strengthen the resilience of Canary agriculture against new climate scenarios,” he said.
Forum Details
The first forum will take place on 30 October at the Canary Islands Agricultural Research Institute (ICIA) in Valle de Guerra, La Laguna, from 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM. Subsequent sessions will follow in Lanzarote on 13 November, Gran Canaria on 16 November, and La Palma on 20 November.
This series will explore the specific conditions of each territory, enhancing technical efforts with insights from the sector. The Department aims to help define effective adaptation measures suited to the agricultural and livestock diversity of the Canary Islands.
The sessions will present key findings on strategic crops such as avocados, mangoes, bananas, as well as temperate fruits and wine grapes. They will also discuss issues like heat stress in livestock, effects on beekeeping, and work conditions in agriculture.
The forums will particularly address challenges such as rising temperatures, water scarcity, and increased frequency of adverse weather events. Measures to improve the primary sector’s anticipation and response capabilities will also be discussed.
In addition to facilitating knowledge transfer from the project, these meetings aim to foster dialogue and participation. Farmers, ranchers, technical staff, and representatives from sector organisations will have opportunities to share experiences, identify needs, and propose tailored solutions for the diverse productive realities of the islands.
