Farmers in the Axarquia are not only having to contend with the economic crisis and other problems, but also with the ever-growing number of thefts from farms.
Machinery, olives, avocados, agricultural implements and nuts are just some of the items disappearing on a regular basis. There seems to be a black market for almost anything these days. Even mango cuttings.
The theft of branches from mango trees is on the increase. These are then sold illegally in nurseries for about one euro each, the stems being used for grafting.
The thieves apparently seem to know what they’re doing as far as cutting the stems is concerned, but there are still worries about these stolen items. One such concern is that the cutting of such stems is being carried out without the normal sanitary controls, which means that those items being sold on could spread disease.
The Asociación de Jóvenes Agricultores (Asaja) is recommending that people only buy from accredited nurseries where the parent plants are also housed and the proper sanitary controls are in place to prevent the unnecessary spread of disease.