In the Barrankas near Las Palmas, two very different approaches to farming stand side by side. On one hand, a small regenerative farm thrives, cultivating a rich diversity of plants, restoring soil health, and creating an ecosystem where nature and agriculture work together. Just a few kilometers away, vast fields of lettuce stretch across the valley floor, their neat rows a stark contrast to the layered diversity of the smaller farm.
While the monoculture lettuce fields are efficient, their reliance on irrigation, fertilizers, and intensive land use raises questions about long-term sustainability. They produce a single crop in abundance, yet lack the resilience of the regenerative model, where biodiversity, soil health, and water retention are naturally built into the system. Here in the Barrankas, these two farms represent two paths—one focused on short-term yield, the other on long-term regeneration. Which approach will define the future of farming in Gran Canaria?
