Spain: Agroexpo 2016 gave the best

The 28th edition of the International Fair “Agroexpo” in Don Benito (Badajoz) has done with great success. Closed with a balance of 230 companies from Spain, Portugal and France, and over 30,500 visitors with a high level of professionalism. The fair has hosted for four days of business meetings between exhibitors and visitors and a program of activities and business premier. In addition, governments have ensured that work for the stability of the tobacco industry, were presented the outline of the Rural Development Programme (2014-2020), created the Bureau of Rice Extremadura, several competitions were held and authorities Cubans have shown interest in the Extremadura agricultural and livestock sector.

The Spanish Minister of Agriculture, Isabel García Tejerina, by the President of Extremadura, Jose Antonio Monagas, opened Agroexpo 2016 and called it “an example of continuity and renewal, contributing year after year to put our agricultural and livestock sector at the forefront of the world.” Agropexpo meets three important productions lounges and Spanish Extremadura field, such as tomatoes, olives and olive oil, and fruits and vegetables, which are at the forefront of the Spanish food industry.

Tobacco

Indeed, both political authorities have discussed the future of the sector in the region snuff. Tejerina said the government has made a major effort in this sector, particularly in the CAP reform and expressed his willingness to continue working with snuff industries to contribute to the stability of trade relations. The minister put in value the sector agreements with major international manufacturing companies snuff, “which have been very important and have worked very well,” some of which has already been extended.

In relation to the taxation of snuff, Isabel García Tejerina explained that the European Union requires change our taxation and, “if not already done so, it is because you want to find a solution in which we comply with the requirements of the European Union and at the same time give satisfaction to the demands of the tobacco industry. ”
The head of the regional government, Guillermo Fernández Vara, said that the meeting with the minister was “extremely positive”. “The goal is to continue buying snuff in Extremadura and to continue paying for it a price that allows people to live this culture and eliminate the uncertainties,” said Fernández Vara.

Rural development

The Minister of Environment and Rural and Agricultural Policies Territory Extremadura, Begoña García, presented to the agriculture and livestock present in Don Benito, in the framework of Agroexpo, the outlines of the Rural Development Plan (RDP) 2014-2020 , which involves an investment in the close to one billion euros region.

According to the minister forward, the new PDR will have the consensus and participation of the whole sector and will improve the competitiveness of our businesses, strengthen investment in rural areas and “improve the lives of people, because ultimately that should be the high policy priority.”

The PDR will allow an improvement of farms, with performances in their access infrastructures, water management and implementation of ICT, as the minister has moved. Furthermore, the promotion of agribusiness and the modernization of existing ones with support for investments in the processing and marketing of the products will be enhanced. Training and integration of young people in the agricultural sector and the professionalization of the field through the qualification will be one of the priorities of the regional administration.

Board of Rice

The rice sector Rice is the Board of Extremadura under Agroexpo, a board which is chaired by Agri-food Cooperatives Extremadura, it aims to combine efforts and implement actions that benefit the whole sector.

Thus one of the main problems currently the rice sector of Extremadura are the limitations found in plant material, products effective against pests and weeds that force the industry to ask for every year the exceptional authorization of certain active substances also more expensive pesticides and cultivation.

This is one of the claims that the Board of Rice moved to the Administration, in addition to the need for proper labeling of containers in which the origin and the way of growing rice and betting industry specified by the Extremadura quality rice, which meets all requirements regarding food traceability.

Competitions

In total, 16 products have attended these IV Business Innovation Awards, which were presented by fourteen companies of different regions. The winning product, the company Alicante Levante Geslim S. L., is a new-generation solid surface made up two-thirds of natural minerals and a third of high-strength resins, for the food industry.

In the VII National Contest maneuverability with tractor and trailer, organized by the Professional Association of Farmers and Ranchers of Don Benito and Shire, Germán Peña Puebla Alcollarín has been the winner of the first prize for the execution of the maneuver tractor and trailer in the shortest time possible, without departing from the set route. Specifically it has completed the circuit reversed 2.19 minutes twenty seconds faster than the winner of the previous edition.

The second and third winner was Pablo Romero de Ciudad Real and Antonio Sanchez de Don Benito, respectively. The winners received a trophy and various gifts donated by the collaborating houses. In addition, Fruit Land, Tomates del Guadiana, Jerte Cherry DO Fruit and Lola are awarded the “Besana awards.”

Cuba‘s interest for the agricultural and livestock sector

The Minister of Environment and Rural, Agrarian Policy and Planning, Begoña García, met with the Consul Cuba in Seville, Alexander Castro Medina, which has moved the potentiality of Extremadura breeds sector under Agroexpo.

The representative of Cuba showed special interest in any of the products produced in the region, as well as the cooperative system and Extremadura have been located for visits to some of the regional primary sector companies to see first hand their work.
The meeting was also attended by Director General of Feval, Manuel Gomez Parejo and the mayor of Don Benito, Jose Luis Quintana.

Source: Agroexpo