Ibiza and Formentera Preservation has launched a new grant scheme offering up to €8,750 per farm to support the planting of fruit trees across the two islands. Applications are open until 16 November, with priority given to projects that restore abandoned agricultural land and promote traditional local varieties.
The initiative, part of the Eivissa i Formentera Sembren Futur (Ibiza and Formentera Sow the Future) project, has a budget of €35,000 and aims to boost local food production, diversify crops and bring disused farmland back into cultivation, the foundation said in a press release.
Farmers interested in taking part can apply for funding of €35 per tree, with a minimum of 20 and a maximum of 250 trees per farm. Grants will therefore range from €700 to €8,750 per holding.
One of the main changes in this year’s call is the priority given to projects that bring currently unused agricultural land back into production.
“We want these grants to provide a genuine opportunity for people working the land, as well as for those who want to restore fields that have been left uncultivated for years,” said Jordi Salewski, coordinator of the Ibiza and Formentera Produce programme, under which the initiative operates.
Salewski noted that planting fruit trees involves a significant upfront investment. “Through this programme, we aim to lower that barrier and encourage agriculture that is more diverse, productive and better equipped to face climate challenges,” he said.
Nearly 2,000 fruit trees planted since 2024
The Eivissa i Formentera Sembren Futur project was launched in 2024. Since then, it has funded the planting of 1,934 fruit trees across 32 farms in Ibiza and Formentera.
With this latest round of grants, the foundation hopes to continue the programme and extend its reach to more agricultural holdings on both islands.
Funded planting projects must be carried out between 1 December 2026 and 15 November 2027. Recipients will also be required to maintain the trees for a minimum of five years.
Traditional varieties and water conservation
Alongside the restoration of abandoned farmland, applications will be assessed against other criteria linked to sustainability and the preservation of the Pitiusas’ agricultural heritage.
Priority considerations include organic farming practices, the use of local varieties and the planting of species suited to the Mediterranean climate. Projects incorporating agroforestry, Keyline design, syntropic forests or other measures to conserve water, absorb CO₂ and improve resilience to climate change will also be assessed favourably.
Particular attention will be paid to planting trees that can serve as rootstock for grafting traditional Ibiza and Formentera varieties. The aim is to help preserve the islands’ agricultural heritage and keep local fruit varieties alive for future generations.
Who can apply for the fruit tree grants?
The grants are open to farms registered with the Island Register of Agricultural Holdings (RIA) in Ibiza or Formentera, provided they have enough land to plant at least 20 fruit trees.
A technical committee will assess applications according to the criteria set out in the grant scheme’s official rules.
Farmers have until 16 November to submit their proposals. Full details of the eligibility criteria, application requirements and supporting documents are available on the Ibiza and Formentera Produce website.