March 12, 2020. The National Rural Network organized the first meeting of the Focus Group on Access to Land, with the participation of more than 30 experts representing a wide variety of fields. The Focus Group aims to study and discuss the existing problems surrounding access to land and create a collaborative network that will help find solutions.  

The Focus Group is comprised of multidisciplinary experts from the General State Administration (MAPA, FEGA, General Directorate of Cadastre), regional and municipal administrations, the agricultural sector (professional agricultural organizations and cooperatives), operational groups, universities, local action groups, public-private networks, and financial institutions.

The work of the Focal Group on Access to Land will be coordinated by José Emilio Guerrero, a professor at the University of Córdoba, renowned for his expertise in the agricultural and rural sectors.

Current situation

Isabel Bombal, Director General of Rural Development, Innovation, and Agri-Food Training at MAPA, highlighted the main limitations associated with access to land, such as price, legal, training, and informational aspects, economic and fiscal problems, as well as the lack of incentives for young people to enter agricultural activity, and for older people to cede land ownership.

As a starting point, MAPA has presented a basic document reflecting the current complex situation of the land market, the main barriers to accessing agricultural land, and a compilation of existing initiatives and practical solutions. Based on this document, the Group's mission is to generate proposals for improvements that will help eliminate obstacles to land access. In the words of the Group's coordinator, "This is a hyperproblem, a complex situation for which we can only find solutions through coordinated action and a systemic approach."

The Focal Group on Access to Land will carry out ongoing, collaborative work over the coming months, culminating in the middle of this year with a document of specific proposals. These multidisciplinary contributions will be directed at the General State Administration, regional and local governments, and private initiatives. Furthermore, the final document could contribute to the development of the CAP Strategic Plan 2021-2027, which is currently being developed by the MAPA.