The Sodoeconomic Impact of Truffle Cultivation in Rural Spain

Commercial black truffle (Tuber melanosporum) plantations have been promoted in Europe with the intention of benefiting rural economies while conserving biodiversity through the expansion of oak woodlands. In this context, a sodoeconomic study was conducted around the town of Sarrión in eastern Spain, where government subsidies have supported oak reforestation and truffle cultivation in unproductive hilly areas since 1987. Currently there are about 4,500 ha of truffle orchards in the surrounding county and 530 members in the local truffle association, which has provided a key forum for truffle cultivators to share technical, financial and administrative experiences. Structured interviews were carried out in 2002 with a number of orchard owners, as well as representatives of financial and governmental institutions. Truffles, which are harvested using trained dogs, typically fetch local cultivators average prices of 220-670 EUR/kg, although retail prices of highquality specimens may reach twice this amount. In addition to the direct economic impact, an increase in local land prices was also documented, as well as a tendency for continued expansion of truffle orchards, and thus oak reforestation. In conclusion, the promotion of truffle cultivation through autonomous community and provincial government subsidies, in conjunction with support by local banks, a dedicated local truffle association, and growing interest on behalf of local farmers, seems to have achieved the mutual goals of biodiversity conservation and improving the rural economy in this region of Spain. /// Las plantaciones orientadas hacia la producción de trufa negra (Tuber melanosporum) se impulsaron en Europa con el objetivo de favorecer las economías rurales, así corno de conservar la biodiversidad a través de la expansión de los encinares. Dentro de este contexte, se Ilevó a cabo un estudio socioeconómico en la zona del municipio de Sarrión y su contorno localizada en el la parte orientai de España, donde existen subvenciones para la reforestación y el cultivo de la trufa desde el año 1987. En la zona estudiada, actualmente hay alrededor de 4.500 ha de plantaciones de trufa, además de una asociación de cultivadores de trufa con 530 miembros, la cual sirve de plataforma para que sus socios compartan experiencias téenicas, financieras y administrativas. En el año 2002 se Ilevaron a cabo entrevistas a propietarios de plantaciones, así como a los representantes de instituciones financieras y gub