Putting an end to bad habits
Bid to replace burning of waste with ‘bio-shredders’
THE REGIONAL government is bidding change farmers’ mindset – and bring in more ecologically-friendly habits into the sector.
Secretary for the environment Fran Quesada explained that they are encouraging the shredding of trees and green waste to put an end to burning.
Fires set by farmers can be seen all over the Valencia region in the autumn, winter and spring they burn branches, cuttings and old trees to get rid of this green waste.
To combat this, the regional government is investing in ‘bioshredders’ which are being installed in natural parks.
Once the green waste has been turned into pulp this can then be used by farmers to spread on their land, ‘incorporating organic material and increasing humidity in the soil’.
Sr Quesada noted: “This will allow us to cut down on burning and move towards a more responsible kind of farming.”
The project is being carried in conjunction with provincial fire brigades and the directors of natural parks around the Valencia region.
Department for the environ- ment chiefs are also meeting with mayors of rural towns and villages to set up projects to produce ‘quality compost’ from ag- ricultural waste which can then be used by farmers which will help to ‘boost the local economy’.