Almeria Undercover – Feb 18 2016
Almeria Undercover – €22.50
Thursday 18th February
Group of Friends go undercover to learn secrets.
After years of living in the land of the “plastico” the Group of Friends eventually got to investigate the methods used for intense salad cultivation, on a fascinating visit to the Clisol greenhouses near El Ejido.
Following on from her parents, Lola, our guide, had worked in the farming community since childhood, and has been at the forefront of modernising the industry over the years. Lola emphasized the importance of intensive agriculture under plastic for the economy of the province, talking deeply about the different cultivation techniques used including the most recent features, the application of new technology using a more sustainable and extremely environmentally friendly agriculture method.
Her passion shone through as she explained how insects and bumble bees are used in lieu of chemicals, how plants are grown in Coco fibre and rock wool, and how water is recycled. They utilise new technology and a weather station is linked to a computer that operates ventilation, heating, computerized control of climatic irrigation, integrated pest control, recirculation of the drainage system etc.
Afterwards we were able to taste many of the different varieties of tomatoes, (pear, cherry, cocktail and salad), as well as the ‘Almeria’ and ‘Cocktail’ cucumbers with olive oil, bread and honey, vegetable sauces and the latest vegetable jams.
They also grow Melon, Peppers, Aubergine, and Courgette.
A fascinating trip which has made us all look at the “Plastico” in a very different light.
Ken Cross
Tip of the Month
- Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit; Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad
