- Participants are learning essential techniques, from soil preparation to harvesting, thus promoting a sustainable production model.
- The inclusion of the ‘fava poblera (broad bean in town)’ in the catalogue of autochthonous varieties would guarantee its protection and promote its cultivation in the region.
The ‘fava poblera’ is not only an agricultural and culinary treasure of El Poble Nou de Benitatxell. It is much more. It is identity and in recent years it has become a characteristic symbol of the municipality. Who in the region does not know the inhabitants of Benitatxell as ‘mitjafaves’? The fact is that the pobleros and pobleras have been able to take advantage of the reputation of scrooges that once gave them the popular beliefs to promote and enhance the value of their star product. They have even organised a festival, the Mitjafava Fest, which revolves around the broad bean.
But the challenges for the survival of this legume are also growing. Changes in economic and social models, and the lack of generational change in the countryside, have recently led to a decrease in production. That is why the Council of Benitatxell, through the Councillorship of Agriculture, has decided to give it a boost in order to encourage people to plant and preserve it.
Thus, for some months now, the municipality has been hosting a practical course for the cultivation of broad beans, either through the municipal orchards that were promoted last year or in fields and private plots. This initiative has brought together farmers, technicians and neighbours interested in recovering and promoting the cultivation of this legume, which is so deeply rooted in our town.
During these days, participants are learning essential techniques for its cultivation, from soil preparation to harvesting, thus promoting a sustainable production model that respects the environment. In addition, strategies to improve the conservation of the seed and thus guarantee the continuity of this local variety are being addressed.
Also as part of the course, experts from the Carcaixent Agricultural Experimental Station gave specialised talks on the characterisation of the broad bean from El Poble Nou de Benitatxell. This is a variety that is perfectly adapted to the town’s climate and, with a short pod and fat, floury grains, has perfect characteristics for making the traditional ‘arròs amb fava pelà’ from town.
The objective of the ‘fava poblera’: inclusion in the catalogue of autochthonous varieties
The objective now for the Agriculture Department and the technical experts of the agricultural station is to include it in the catalogue of autochthonous varieties, an acknowledgement that would guarantee its protection and promote its cultivation in the region.
As the councillor of Agriculture, Javi Cabrera, pointed out, ‘this joint effort between institutions, farmers and the community is a key step towards preserving the agricultural identity of our town and revaluing a product that is part of our gastronomic and historical culture’. He also stated that it is hoped that this initiative will mark the start of new projects to recover and promote traditional varieties, with a commitment to agriculture that preserves the richness of the local agricultural patrimony.
