The frosts have passed: one 90% of the harvest has been saved, compared to the 2,000 days lost in 2012

Barring a cataclysm worthy of being highlighted in the history books, this year the peach harvest in Cieza is going to be extraordinary, both in quantity and quality.

Last year, around this same time, many laborers had seen the thinning season pass without receiving the long-awaited call to “take a few days”, since more than 70% of the early fruit had frozen, the lost wages were estimated at 2,000 , and hundreds of families would see their income reduced drastically and irrecoverably.

This year things are very different, and not due to the action of divine providence (exclusively), but because out of necessity arises the virtue and good work of farmers, who this year have improved their warning systems and planning. anti-frost measures, which is why they have managed to save the 90% from production, and with it the livelihood of hundreds of families who live from the countryside and for the countryside.

The early and extra early varieties, which are usually the most affected by frost as they coincide with the flowering season, have hardly suffered any reductions in production, so May is expected to be a very good month for employment in the field.

But now, once tempers have cooled, it is the best time to take stock of the pros and cons of the much-used burning of straw, which in the end has turned out to be crucial to saving the crops, after the administration's pronouncement. regional that a couple of weeks ago clarified that the burning that was being carried out was absolutely legal, since the imposed requirements had been met: prior authorization from the Environment, on the permitted dates ranging from January 1 to January 31. March, 24-hour notice, respecting firebreak distances, and only when the wind did not exceed 5 kilometers per hour.

The farmers have scrupulously complied with all the precautions that have been imposed on them, but in addition, and despite being within the law, they did not hesitate to appear before the media to apologize to the citizens who suffered the inconvenience of the smoke that these days it flooded our municipality, a gesture that very well defines the solidarity nature of our farmers

Were the neighborhood complaints logical? Surely yes...have the farmers done the most convenient thing to save many jobs in Cieza? Looking at last year, it seems so... have they been understanding of the inconvenience caused? They have apologized and have promised to study other methods that are less harmful to citizens... They therefore deserve our support and give them a margin of confidence.

Our administration also has work to do. For next year, and as recommended by the General Directorate of the Natural Environment, the City Council must be extremely vigilant, and warn the population to avoid possible inconvenience to neighbors due to the accumulation of smoke since it places the local Administration to adopt "the limiting or restrictive measures that are appropriate." Let us trust that our local representatives are at the level that our farmers have demonstrated.