Livestock and biomass to prevent forest fires
Last June, the Government of Aragón, through the Department of Rural Development and Sustainability, approved grants for the implementation of cooperative actions by agents in the agricultural sector, as part of the Rural Development Program for Aragón 2014-2020.
One of the approved projects, coordinated by CIRCE, aims to improve the efficiency of forest maintenance and fire prevention work. It seeks to address three key issues in Aragón: first, the high costs associated with silvicultural treatments; second, the underutilization of local grazing for maintaining treated areas and the lack of extensive grazing in certain areas of the region; and third, the limited demand and use of forest biomass, which hinders the increased utilization of silvicultural residues. CIRCE, along with the other project partners, will demonstrate the opportunities offered by managing whole-tree biomass to be used as fuel in various applications.
This will be achieved by changing the management of forestry work and introducing greater mechanization in the process, all of which will help increase the profitability of these activities. The project will improve forest management by contributing to its cleanliness and fire prevention. Additionally, it will help increase and improve the conditions and number of extensive livestock operations, creating new grazing areas.
To demonstrate the viability of these activities, a pilot project will be carried out, based on supplying this type of biomass to an agro-industrial consumer.
One of the main strengths of the cooperative group is the participation of various agents from the value chain necessary to carry out the action, which will facilitate the continuation, replication, and adoption of the project's results. Campos Rey, a company specializing in forestry work with extensive experience in the sector, is participating as a beneficiary.
Indasa, an agro-industrial company focused on alfalfa dehydration, participates in the action as a large biomass consumer. The livestock sector will be represented by the Asociación de Ganaderos de Sierra y Cañones de Guara, as well as UAGA-COAG. Finally, three rural development groups from the Cinco Villas (ADEFO), Hoya de Huesca (ADESHO), and Somontano (CEDER Somontano) regions will be involved as agents closely connected to the realities and actors in their areas.
