After two years of thorough analysis, Requena's agriculture can breathe easy. The Valencian Government has concluded that the region's agricultural soils are healthy, with no trace of chemical or biological contamination. This confirmation follows an investigation led by the Valencian Institute of Agrarian Research (IVIA), which assessed the impact of the DANA storm in October 2024.
“"This is an exhaustive sampling effort that allows us to confirm the high resilience of our land."
The Director General of Industry and the Food Chain, presented today in Requena the results of the report Impact of the DANA on Vineyards and Other Woody Crops. The study highlights the "optimal suitability" of the soils, which remains intact despite the violent runoff that particularly affected the municipalities of Utiel and Requena. The comparative analysis between affected and unaffected plots demonstrates a surprising capacity for recovery.
The main concern for farmers and exporters after the floods was the potential infiltration of external contaminants. However, the technical data presented by the IVIA team are conclusive: detected levels of heavy metals and hydrocarbons are within current regulatory limits, and microbiological parameters guarantee that the production of grapes, olives, and nuts is completely safe. Furthermore, the soil structure has not been diminished by sediment drag.
The event, held at the Comarcal Agrarian Office (OCA) in Requena, not only served to close the environmental crisis of the DANA but also to look to the future. The project coordinator explained that this 160,000-hectare study will serve as a basis for new sustainable agriculture protocols. With this scientific endorsement, Requena's wine and oil sector strengthens its quality position in international markets, demonstrating that, even in the face of extreme climatic events, the region's land maintains its purity and agricultural value.
