The municipality of La Mojonera (Almería, Spain), with a surface area of just 24 km², has become one of the province's agricultural hubs thanks to its high concentration of intensive greenhouse farms. Agriculture accounts for over 90% of local economic activity, making it the main source of jobs and income for the area.
To support growers and modernize local infrastructure, the town council has approved one of its most significant fiscal measures in recent years: a 95% reduction in the Construction, Installations and Works Tax (ICIO) for new buildings dedicated to horticultural production, primarily greenhouses.
The measure, included in the updated ICIO ordinance, directly reduces costs for growers starting new projects or expanding existing ones. The regulation sets a unit construction cost of €8/m² for greenhouses, compared to €150 for agricultural warehouses or €620 for offices and housing.
This means a grower building a 10,000 m² greenhouse would now pay €160 in municipal tax instead of €3,200, a significant incentive at a time when the sector faces challenges such as rising input costs, international competition, and the push for greater sustainability.
Mayor José Miguel Hernández said the measure reflects the council's commitment to "facilitating investment and modernization of agricultural operations, positioning La Mojonera at the forefront of support for the primary sector."
Similarly, Francisca Pardo, councilor for Economic Promotion, noted that the tax break will have positive impacts beyond production: boosting local consumption, strengthening rural development, and reinforcing La Mojonera's identity as an agricultural municipality.
The council is also promoting the local industrial park, where nearly 90% of businesses are directly or indirectly linked to agriculture and auxiliary industries. Infrastructure improvements, streamlined administrative processes, and measures to attract new investment are part of a broader strategy to consolidate La Mojonera as one of the leading agro-industrial centers in Almería's Poniente region.
With these initiatives, the municipality aims to strengthen the competitiveness of its growers and give them better tools to face the challenges of an increasingly demanding global market.
Source: diariodesevilla.es
