The Regional Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, and the bodies that depend on it, will manage a total of 184,884,408.29 euros in 2022, 13% more than in 2021. Thus, the Regional Ministry will have almost 20% more ordinary budget in 2022 than in 2021. In total, there are 60 million, almost 10 million euros more than in 2021, to which must be added the budget of the bodies that depend on them, FOGAIBA and SEMILLA, which will also increase by 11 million euros. These figures demonstrate a clear commitment to the primary and agri-food sector in the Balearic Islands, as a key economic player in the diversification of the production model.
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In the area of agriculture, livestock and rural development, the budget increases by more than 9 million euros. The improvement of irrigation infrastructures with regenerated water and the plan to optimise water resources for the modernisation and consolidation of irrigation is one of the spending programmes with the greatest increase. In total, 1.2 million euros more than in 2021, up to 2.5 million euros. The Balearic Islands have a total of 16 irrigation infrastructures with purified water. The improvement, expansion and construction of new infrastructures is of great importance to maintain the efficiency, viability and sustainability of the primary sector.
Another programme increasing by almost EUR 7 million is the promotion of the agricultural sector, which will amount to EUR 46.6 million by 2022. These are, on the one hand, policies aimed at strengthening the primary and agri-food sector of the islands, both in terms of innovation and adaptation to climate change, as well as the profitability of farms and generational replacement. It should be borne in mind that 2022 is the last transitional year of the CAP. In addition, for example, 1.3 million euros more than in 2021 are planned for the fight against bluetongue and 300,000 euros more for plant health control, among others. Of these, 100,000 euros are finalist funds for the control of Xylella fastidiosa and other pests.
As for fisheries policies, the budget increases by more than 300,000 euros, earmarked for the surveillance of marine reserves. The budget for food sovereignty policies remains the same as in 2021.
The budget for the two bodies that depend on the Regional Ministry, such as FOGAIBA and SEMILLA, also increases. The Balearic Islands Agricultural and Fisheries Guarantee Fund will manage 115 million euros, 10 million more than in 2021, and the Agricultural and Fisheries Improvement Services, 10 million euros, one more than in 2021. These are funds earmarked for development and research to develop projects aimed at moving towards a more productive, profitable, sustainable and fair primary sector, both socially and environmentally.
In 2022, the Ministry of Agriculture will also have, through the ‘Next Generation’, funds to develop the irrigation plan with actions in Formentera, Mallorca and Menorca; the nut restructuring plan with a boost to the carob and almond sector, and organic farming. These are policies to position the Balearic Islands as a cutting-edge territory in terms of agricultural policies.