Agriculture in Chaves, Portugal

A modern farm in Oura, south of Chaves

The valley of Chaves takes up an area of approximately 25 km² or 2500 hectares. It is about 8.5 kilometers long and 3 kilometers wide with an extension from the Arcossó Bridge to the village of Pereira de Veiga. It is bathed by the Tâmega River and most of the valley lies on the left bank of the same. To the east lies the Serra do Brunheiro (919 meters) and the northern ending of the Serra da Padrela; to the west it is bordered by a series of small elevations, which act as a foundation for the Serra de Bustelo, which for its part, serves as a counterweight for the Serra do Larouco and the plateau of the Barrosos. To the north lies the Serra de Mairos, which extends into Spain reaching its highest point of 1,083 meters. The South is separated by the Oura stream and a group of hills that are attached to the Brunheiro, at the place called Pêto de Lagarelhos.

Almost all of the concelho is traditionally agricultural with cultivation of potatoes, rye, garden vegetables, fruit trees, and grapes. The valley of Chaves, with its fertile soils, crossed by the Tâmega and its soils bathed by the warm waters of the hot springs, once provided a life for many people. Translated from (http://www.cm- chaves.pt/caracterizacao.htm)

The traditional prosperity of Chaves comes, mainly, from this highly fertile plain, nine km. long and three to five wide. Since the land can be irrigated with canals there is intensive farming, mainly of potatoes, corn, rye, hay, and plots of vegetables for sale in the local market. There is one main canal which begins near Vila Verde da Raia and crosses the valley on the right bank of the Tâmega as far as Nantes.

On the whole, the land is made up of small plots that are rarely economically viable. There is some dairy farming, and a milk production unit on the south side of town, but few cows can be seen in the valley. In general most of the farmers are of retirement age and farming is often pursued more as a hobby than as a profession.

There are also some vineyards but this region is not famous for its wines. The Chaves cooperative does make a drinkable wine but consumption is mainly local. Vines are old, often diseased, and sadly covered with weeds for lack of workers to tend to them.

Olive trees can sometimes be seen on the hillsides but they are fast disappearing. Olive oil production has long ago moved to the area around Mirandela where the land and climate are more suitable. Producers who insist on picking the olives say they have to pay to produce olive oil. They also complain of olive oil coming in from Spain at lower prices.

One of the most impressive scenes in Chaves is to walk down a country lane in the Veiga and have to step into the fields as a herd of sheep passes by. Surprisingly, in this day and age there are still shepherds willing to spend long hours standing in one position looking at their sheep. Not surprisingly, few young people are willing to do this kind of job so it is a profession that will eventually disappear.

The Chaves Veiga looking east

An "espigueiro" or corn granary looking north from the Quinta de Samiões

Chaves is not an "espigueiro" region like the Minho or parts of Galicia. To see the largest espigueiro, or "horreo" as they say in Spain, in the world click here

Go to Industry