The representative of the Andalusian government in Jaén, Jesús Estrella, highlighted the “important role” of farmers this Monday, which coincides with the festival of San Isidro, which he took advantage of to visit the Fertínez oil mill in Ebros.
During the tour, accompanied by Francisco García, the manager of Asites Fertínez, he explained that the mill is one of the oldest in the province, where “there are over 100,000 families that live from the olive grove.”
Regarding the current drought, which directly affects agricultural activities, the representative explained the features of the third drought decree launched by the Board. “We are talking about a regulation that aims to have infrastructure that allows water to be collected, as well as address the rates that affect farmers,” he said.
On the other hand, he indicated the request of the regional executive to the central government to “carry out hydraulic infrastructure works within its competence pending in the province and which would allow to guarantee water in Jaén and Andalusia, as without water the region would do”. No work”.
Estrella mentions some examples in Jaén Province, including the Siles Pipe, the Cerrada Dam, which would mean increasing the province’s reservoir capacity by 289 cubic hectometres, or the Cadimo Raft, which “is finished, but it has its not put into service due to construction deficiencies” and has a capacity to store 7.5 cubic hectares, which would serve to irrigate 15,000 hectares of olive groves.
On the other hand, the representative learned about the modernization project in which Aceites Fertinez is immersed, a family business with three production lines, a crushing capacity of 1.2 million kilos of olives and 1,400 harvesters.
Established in 1860, they are a producer and packer and stand for combining tradition and innovation. Its production is largely destined for the national market, but they also sell olive oil to countries such as Israel, Japan or Mexico.
“We must encourage them to continue this modernization process, something that shows the mill’s concern with the region, as well as their commitment to Ebros and its region,” he added.
