BLEAK HARVEST TIMEBy David Eade
October is the key month for gathering the chestnut harvest in the Valle del Genal. The nuts from this area are rated as being of the highest quality and are the earliest harvest gathered in the EU. Yet all is not well as the prices for the chestnuts have plummeted.
The importance of the chestnut to the area is plain to see. Some 4,300 hectares are dedicated to the chestnut trees. The production is around 5 million kilos. Fifteen municipalities in the valley depend on the income from the harvest to maintain the livelihood of 1,000 families. However this year the prices are pointing to a bleak winter.
Mateo Rosado is the president of the co-operatives that produce the first and second grade nuts. He says the winter rains have fattened the chestnuts but the reality of selling them is very depressing. He added: “For another year the prices have collapsed.”
The world of chestnut is very similar to that of the stock market – prices go up and prices come down. However prices for the producers seem to be on a constant downward spiral. At the start of October they were three euros a kilo, then they fell to two then dropped again rapidly to1.60 euros.
In Pujerra, one of the main centres of production, the mayor Francisco Macías, stated that every year the families receive an average of 1.5 million euros for their chestnuts. He equated it to their winning the lottery but added that this year the results could be catastrophic.
Part of the blame has been placed on speculators who buy up the harvest at low prices and then drive them off in vans to sell at the national and international markets. The chestnuts are sold in Germany, Holland, France, England and North Africa but as always it could be the middle men rather than the growers who reap the profits harvest.
TOURISM PACT
In a municipality divided by political conflict PSOE and opposition PP and IU have come together to sign a pact on tourism which is the main economic motor in the town. They have agreed to set aside any differences and to work together to promote and develop the full potential of the sector. The agreement has the backing of the Andalucía tourism ministry.
JOBLESS RISE
September registered a sharp rise in the number of unemployed in Ronda. The end of the peak holiday season has resulted in 231 people joining the dole queue. That brings the total to 4,334 of whom 2,321 are women and 2,013 men. New jobs totalled 864 with 829 on temporary contracts and 35 long term with the service sector leading the job creation.
TWO GORGES
The town of Ronda is to share a stand at the Fitur international travel trade fair in Madrid next January with the municipality of Cuenca. Both mayors were present at the first stone laying for Ronda’s refurbished Jardines de Cuenca. Both towns have stunning gorges as their main feature and the architect who created the park also designed Cuenca’s cathedral and some churches.
CENTENARIANS HONOURED
Ronda held a special ceremony at the Vincente Espinel theatre to pay homage to the residents of the town who were centenarians. It was the municipality’s celebration of the International Day of the Elderly. In moving tributes those honoured were Antonia García (103) and Francisco Vera (101). There were also mentions for the presidents of Arunda and Amaro that care for the aged.
BUS RACE
Parents of seven children in Ronda who travel to Málaga’s Manuel Carra music conservatory on a Friday for professional level studies say they will have to withdraw from the course. The problem is the bus that takes them to Málaga leaves just 15 minutes after the school finishes, there is insufficient time to catch it and those who do don’t return to 22.00.
YOUTH CENTRE
Gaucín is to have a Casa de la Juventud. It will cost over 574,000 euros with the majority of the funding, 539,000 euros, coming from Málaga province. The youth centre will be housed in a 548 square metres building spread over three floors and include a conference room with film and video facilities, exhibition hall, work shop plus administration offices and support facilities.
LIFE SAVING
Residents of Atajate and Jimera de Líbar recently participated in a workshop at Benaoján health centre to teach them the skills to reanimate a person who has suffered a heart attack. The sessions were given by medics and those receiving the instruction were residents who were in contact with the public including the police who were shown how to use the portable defibrillators.
ALGATOCÍN ALARM
Residents in Algatocín have presented a 350 signature petition to have an antenna that provides an internet link removed from near the Ermita del Santo Cristo. They say it is a health risk and an eye-sore. The town hall insists it is safe and is important for the development of the village. It has accused the opposition PSOE of scaremongering to win votes.
