"People in the countryside love machines and irons. We are like a child with new shoes". This is how the president of the Sant Antoni Agricultural Cooperative described his feelings at the premiere of the cooperative's new acquisition: a New Holland TC 4.90' combine harvester, which was presented to society this Friday. The presentation was attended by authorities such as the mayor of Sant Antoni, Marcos Serra, and the president of the Consell d'Eivissa, Vicent Mar, both in office.
Both the president and the manager of the Sant Antoni Cooperative, Juan Antonio Prats, could not conceal their joy at "the new toy" they had just acquired. The machine is more than eight metres long and its main attraction is "the folding capacity of the 'cut', which measures 2.90 metres and allows the machine to access narrow paths. Once unfolded, the cut reaches almost five metres". The circumstances of the Ibizan countryside and access to the farms of many members of the cooperative, as Tur explains, "led us to choose the smallest machine on the market".
50% increase
In this way, the cooperative has increased the cutting width by 50% compared to the "already obsolete" machinery that the cooperative has had until now, two John Deere combines, which barely covered three metres. Other advantages offered by the brand new New Holland, apart from the cutting capacity, include "the power of 150 hp, which is double that of the old ones. It is also worth mentioning the rear part that chops the straw and helps to fix the carbon in the soil and, in addition, it can harvest all kinds of legumes", as the cooperative's president explains, who humorously adds that "the only thing it lacks is a shotgun to kill the torcaces and a device to multiply the grain". A whole series of advantages and advances that make the arrival of this new machine in Ibiza "not just a simple improvement, it is a change of paradigm".
The cooperative's management expects the new machine to "last at least 20 years", during which time it will amortise the 180,000 euros invested to acquire it, "without counting taxes or transport", as Prats points out.
To make the investment, the cooperative has received help from the local councils, with a special allocation from Sant Antoni, as well as a 40% contribution from the Consell d'Eivissa. "This is proof of our commitment to strengthening the primary sector, which we will endeavour to strengthen even more during this term of office", as Vicent Marí, president of the Consell d'Eivissa, stated.
SOURCE: Periódico de Ibiza - Images by Toni Planells.
