Revitalizing Villalba's olive groves: Empowered by renewable energy

Revitalizing Villalba's olive groves: Empowered by renewable energy
ACCIONA Energía is spearheading a plan to modernize the traditional olive cooperative in Villalba del Rey, a region housing several of its renewable facilities. It reflects a collaborative effort with the community, exemplifying the positive impact clean technologies have on their environment.
Villalba del Rey  is a municipality nestled in the northern part of the province of Cuenca, Spain, within the region of La Alcarria, renowned for its honey and immortalized by Nobel Prize winner  Camilo José Cela  in his personal travel book (“ Journey to the Alcarria ”, 1948). In the early sixties of the last century, the  village thrived with nearly two thousand inhabitants , coinciding with the construction of the Buendía reservoir fed by the Guadiela river. However,  today, the population has dwindled to a mere 500 residents . It serves as a poignant example of what is known as “empty” or “emptied” Spain, and also reflects the Spain that aspires to overcome this state.
This backdrop sets the stage for Mayor  Antonio Luengo 's conviction that  “the advancement of the olive cooperative could potentially be the sole pathway for the town to reshape its future, for farmers to witness enhanced incomes, and for residents to choose to remain in the community.”
With a third of the municipality dedicated to olive groves,  oil production is one of the most traditional activities in an  eminently agricultural town. Created 65 years ago, the  Cooperativa Santos Sebastián e Isidro  was for many years oriented to the self-consumption of its members–to produce oil  “for home” –until the loss of population forced it to go out to the market.
"We felt a bit adrift since we're not experts; we're farmers with limited knowledge of marketing. We undertook tasks with immense dedication, but the lack of expertise was evident. Merely following in my father's footsteps isn't sufficient, given the evolving landscape,"  confesses  Pedro Romero, president of the cooperative . Mayor Luengo emphatically underscores,  “We were teetering on the edge of vanishing.”
Hence, when  ACCIONA Energía  sought input on which initiative to fund  for enhancing the quality of life in towns hosting its renewable facilities, Villalba's villagers readily embraced the opportunity. Previous socioeconomic analyses had already pinpointed the oil  cooperative's potential  as a catalyst for local economic development.
The subsequent step involved engaging experts to strengthen the project's foundation. The specialized consulting firm  Agrovidar Soluciones Agroambientales crafted a strategic plan to transform the cooperative into a professional, profitable, and environmentally sustainable entity , preserving its traditional strengths while propelling it into the future.
STRATEGY AXES
The Villaba del Rey cooperative unites a total of 74 members overseeing an olive grove area spanning approximately 450 hectares, home to around 67,000 olive trees. The strategy proposed by the consulting firm encompasses actions along four key strategic lines.
1. Optimization
Enhancing productivity and economic yields while addressing climate change impacts. This involves initiatives to reduce erosion, bolster natural soil fertility, optimize fertilizer usage, implement stringent phytosanitary controls, and adopt prudent pruning practices.
2. Streamlining harvesting processes
Innovating harvesting methodologies to elevate product quality and integrating mechanized harvesting tools for efficiency.
3. Elevating product quality
Focusing on improving product standards to meet the criteria for extra virgin olive oil.
4. Customer-centric communication
Cultivating brand identity, reinforcing community connections, and leveraging online marketing strategies to engage consumers and promote the cooperative's offerings.
“ After analyzing the situation,”  explains  Pablo Ortigueira, an olive growing expert and consultant ,  “we initiated farmer training on topics like pruning and phytosanitary management, coupled with ongoing technical oversight. After a year of concerted effort, we are demonstrating to farmers that adopting a different approach can result in enhanced productivity and income.”
Ortigueira highlights the personal commitment of everyone involved:  “I see the farmers happy, very proactive, eager to continue. We offer them quality technical support, ensuring they feel supported in their goal of producing differentiated, high-quality oil—an achievement that will not only enhance agricultural income but also improve the lifestyle of Villalba del Rey's citizens.”
Carlos Budia , a farmer and cooperative member, emphasizes,  “If it were not for ACCIONA, we in the cooperative could not afford the luxury of having a technician and advice like the one they are giving us.”
PEDRO ROMERO, PRESIDENT OF THE COOPERATIVE SANTOS SEBASTIÁN E ISIDRO
“The mentoring has been incredibly thorough and has provided us with a significant boost. It's a level of support we've never experienced before. We're thrilled with the results because initial samples indicate that we've achieved higher-quality olives and significantly increased production.”
PABLO ORTIGUEIRA, EXPERT IN OLIVE GROWING
“Enhancing product quality and establishing a recognized brand linked to the region will not only yield agronomic improvements but also enhance the lifestyle of Villalba del Rey's community.”
JONATHAN ROMERO, FARMER AND PARTNER
“This program has shed light on our path, and within just a year, we're already witnessing promising results. Our vision is to produce an exceptional oil that gains national recognition.”
CARLOS BUDIA, FARMER AND PARTNER
“Attaining a benchmark olive oil in the region would mark a significant achievement for us. The word is spreading, and neighboring towns are expressing interest in joining our olive grove monitoring efforts.”
ANTONIO LUEGO, MAYOR OF VILLALBA DEL REY
“ACCIONA's commitment to renewable energies aligns seamlessly with agricultural development in Villalba. The support for the cooperative represents perhaps the town's sole opportunity for future growth.”
ACCIONA Energía boasts several renewable energy facilities in the Villalba del Rey area, collectively generating  161 megawatts of power —an amount capable of supplying clean energy  equivalent to the consumption of approximately 70,000 homes.
The operational  Bolarque photovoltaic plant  (50 MWp) and the  Peralejo  (26 MW) and  Escepar  (36 MW) wind farms play pivotal roles in this energy landscape. Additionally, the company has strategic plans for two  hybrid photovoltaic plants , contributing an extra 49 MWp of power. These hybrid plants share connection points and infrastructures with the existing wind farms. Notably, the Escepar photovoltaic plant commenced operations in January 2024.
ACCIONA Energía, in keeping with its commitment to responsible practices, has implemented its  Social Impact Management program  in the area. This initiative entails a voluntary commitment to reinvest a percentage of the investment and income generated by its renewable energy facilities into projects aimed at enhancing the local quality of life. These contributions are made in addition to the legally mandated fees and taxes.
The selection of these initiatives follows comprehensive socio-economic studies and consultation with the community, emphasizing an ongoing and open dialogue. ACCIONA Energía strives  to be an active and integral part of the community , fostering enduring relationships and promoting mutual well-being.
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