Since at the dawn of the 15th century Lanzarote suffered the brutal change of a Neolithic-type culture, based economically on a reduced subsistence production derived from the exploitation of goats, sheep and the cultivation ...
Since at the dawn of the 15th century Lanzarote suffered the brutal change of a Neolithic-type culture, based economically on a reduced subsistence production derived from the exploitation of goats, sheep and the cultivation of barley, to another culture of medieval cut, "much more evolved", IMPOSED by force on its inhabitants, the majos, with what this meant of radical changes in its economy and society, history repeats itself.
As we all know, our island, since its conquest and until the 19th century, constituted a Lordship like Fuerteventura, La Gomera and El Hierro. The Lord was the one who, through administrators, governed the island, appointing its positions and receiving its income (the seigniorial fifth, that is, 20 percent of the value of the exported products).
Its economy was based on the export of ORCHILLA, livestock products and, above all, on the SLAVIST RAZZIAS or raids on the neighboring coasts of southern Morocco, Mauritania and Sahara. As the raids decreased, prohibited at the end of the 16th century, the cultivation of barley and wheat increased.
In the 17th century, Tytheroygatra based its economy on agricultural products, CEREALS. It supported with its harvests, like Fuerteventura, the high demand of the central islands that depended on wheat and barley. This economic trajectory of the island was transformed by the volcanic episodes between 1730 and 1736, compensated at the same time by the outstanding harvests obtained in the areas where ash and picón accumulated.
Vine crops, fruit trees were planted and corn, potatoes and legumes were introduced with great acceptance. The last third of the 18th century is the most relevant and beneficial stage of the century for the island. A local and foreign bourgeoisie arises, linked first to the production of WINES and brandy for foreign trade and then with the introduction and exploitation of BARRILLA.
In the first half of the 19th century, the economy of Lanzarote was based on traditional crops, barley, wheat and oats, aimed at the internal market and other islands; potatoes, corn and legumes to cover local demand and the promotion of products for export such as barilla and wine. The fall of the barilla since the end of the first third of the 19th century, due to the appearance of laboratory sodas, plus an intense drought, led to an increase in EMIGRATION to the central islands and America.
From the second third of the century, the introduction of COCHINILLA will allow the increase of capital circulation. With the entry of the 20th century this crop finds no substitute, due to the discovery of artificial anilines, and therefore EMIGRATION to America or the rest of the Archipelago multiplies. Lanzarote tries to implement TOBACCO factories, salting factories, salt factories,...
On the island of volcanoes, at that time, apart from subsistence agriculture, FISHING in neighboring Africa was one of the pillars of the island's economy with the creation of canning factories. These industries experienced their greatest splendor between 1950 and 1960, but after the decolonization of the Spanish Sahara their practical disappearance occurred.
Again the ghost of EMIGRATION, in Lanzarote only aulagas and stones reigned. But during the decade of 1960 to 1970 the conditioning of the roads is carried out, the expansion of the Guacimeta runway that will allow in 1970 the opening of the airport to international flights, the first desalination plant on the island and the opening of the first Tourist Center, the Cueva de los Verdes, which would be followed by Jameos del Agua and Mirador de Malpaso. It is the Tourist Boom (1978-1988). An economic activity reaches benefits never before achieved: TOURISM.
When we have discovered "the goose that lays the golden eggs" and the perfect monoculture that has given us a welfare society, again, FROM OUTSIDE, a new economic model is imposed on us, OIL, contrary to our philosophy of SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
(1993. Biosphere Reserve), to our commitment to RENEWABLE ENERGIES, to our main economic activity, tourism, and life, WATER and MARINE BIODIVERSITY.
We will allow them to decide, from outside, the future of our children, without listening to the opinion of the citizens and the institutions of the Canary Islands. We will consent, again, that the ghost of emigration flies over our heads. Please, let's not let the trees not give us the pleasure of seeing the forest.
*Juan Antonio de la Hoz González, CC councilor in the Cabildo de Lanzarote