One of the biggest challenges we face in Spain is the progressive and unstoppable abandonment of rural areas. Towns are dying, along with agriculture, forests, culture, and roots. According to data from the National Institute of Statistics (INE), rural municipalities lose about five residents every hour, resulting in more than 85% of the Spanish population being concentrated in less than 20% of the territory. Greenpeace believes that the phenomenon of rural depopulation not only has social, cultural, and economic impacts but also environmental ones. The loss of agricultural, livestock, and forestry activities in depopulated areas is leading to a decline in sustainable food production, contributing to climate change mitigation, fire prevention, biodiversity conservation, and food security.
While examining the list of winning companies and solutions in the ¡Que vivan los pueblos! project, an acceleration program for startups providing solutions for rural challenges, it is surprising to see that many solutions presented are similar to those implemented in developing countries like Kenya, Uganda, or Rwanda. It is astonishing that key areas of our country vital for our economy, food security, and development have been allowed to decline to such levels without a solution. These regions are often characterized in the collective imagination as “underdeveloped”, when in reality, the quality of life is better, residents are healthier, the environment is less polluted, and people live longer.
Among the awarded initiatives, four focus on improving agricultural or livestock yields. Companies like Cropi work on digitizing the agricultural sector to optimize costs and benefits, Ixorigue monitors livestock to enhance control and efficiency, MuturBeltz promotes sheep wool production and trains producers in the textile sector, and Vacapop is a platform for buying and selling livestock between individuals. These initiatives are similar to applications used in developing countries to revolutionize the agricultural model, such as MyAgro, Hello Tractor, and iCow, which provide tools for small farmers to improve efficiency, access information, connect with buyers and sellers, and utilize financial and agricultural resources.
Another winning initiative is Doctomatic, a virtual platform using artificial intelligence to remotely monitor chronic patients and reduce hospital visits. Babylon connects doctors with patients and develops AI for diagnosing illnesses. Gafasvan is a mobile store selling glasses and hearing aids in areas without optical shops, while Vision Spring has sold over 10 million pairs of glasses for four dollars in more than 50 of the world’s poorest countries. It is crucial to change the collective perception of living in a rural area as inferior and promote the pride of living or being in a village.
Changing the perception of success and scale is essential, as success should not only be associated with urban settings and large numbers. Initiatives like Rooral, Vamosrural, and Aldealista aim to promote teleworking, rural tourism, economic development, and local commerce to boost the economy and provide visibility to rural areas. It is imperative to redefine success around the individual in rural areas and focus on creating opportunities rather than empty spaces. By addressing and solving the rural challenge, Spain can progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals it has committed to, and shift the focus from self-centered perspectives towards broader societal development.
María López Escorial, a consultant specializing in social innovation and business solutions to combat poverty, emphasizes the importance of addressing the rural challenge to advance sustainable development. By shifting the focus from urban-centric perspectives and embracing opportunities in rural areas, Spain can create a more balanced and prosperous society for all. Follow Planeta Futuro on X, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to stay informed and subscribe to the newsletter for regular updates.
