Organic Heritage Grains in Eivissa (Ibiza)

Can Purtell is a farmland ecosystem restoration project. Abandoned farmland is put back into productive use by restoring soil health and bringing biodiversity back into the field above and below ground level.

Many species of the local flora and fauna of Eivissa (Ibiza) have evolved alongside traditional farmland practices, these populations are now diminished and some under threat due to loss of habitat and food. Can Purtell aims to increase the number of fields providing essential ecosystem services. In 2020 it began as one field, and is currently 8 fields and growing every year to restore more farmland.

Biodiversity loss and farmland abandonment creates a fragile ecosystem that is vulnerable to changing climate, pests and invasive species that acceralate the loss of biodiversity further. By restoring a thriving farmland ecosystem we can create resilience and a healthy agriciultural biome.

Can Purtell grows Heritage Grains. The farm currently produces flour that is sold directly to local bakers and restaurants. It will also produce forage and grains for livestock.

Can Purtell is a patchwork of fields in Sant Llorenc De Balafia and Morna Valley in Sant Carles De Peralta. The management and use of the fields are ceded by landowners who support the reactivation of agriculture on the island and see their land back into productive use. Fields are around 4-5 Hectares (@10 Acres in size).

The fields are rain fed “secano” or dry-land fields planted with carob trees, some fig and almond, and traditionally used for a mixed production of grains (wheat, barley, oats, lentils, chickpeas), grazing for sheep/ goats (cheese and meat) , and carobs, figs, & almonds in a four year rotation.

Can Purtell is an experimental farm based on adaptation to climate change. It experiments with population wheats, alley cropping with carob trees, wild cultivars, perennial forage plants, warm dry climate species and biofertilisers, for increased drought resiliance in a soil first, nature led, biodiverse farming system. Farming practices are based on traditional farming from the island, agro-ecological and regenerative principles and regenerative machinary and modern soil science.