Events

The General Council of Official Colleges of Agricultural Technical Engineers of Spain collaborates in the organization of the Youth Forum on Spanish Agri-Food Systems , a national event that will be held on May 8 and 9, 2025 in the city of León , with the aim of giving voice to youth in the debate on the future of the agri-food system . Promoted by the Spanish National Chapter of the World Food Forum (WFF) and organized together with the Global Council on Sustainable Food Systems and IAAS Spain , the forum has the support of institutions such as the University of León , the León City Council , the FAO and various entities committed to the sustainability and development of the food system. Inspired by the WFF's flagship event in Rome , the Spanish forum offers a meeting and exchange space for young people from all over Spain , focusing on the main challenges and opportunities facing the agri-food sector, with a special emphasis on generational change, sustainability, food safety, and the key role of innovation and technology. Main topics and activities of the forum Innovation and technology in agri-food systems Food security and international cooperation The role of young women in transforming the food system Politics, youth and decision-making Inspiring experiences led by young people in the sector The event will include thematic panels, roundtables, networking sessions, and cultural activities , and is expected to attract around 100 attendees from different regions of the country. The General Council's participation in this forum reflects its commitment to youth leadership in agriculture , raising awareness of their role in the agri-food and environmental sectors, and forging strategic alliances to address current and future challenges from a sustainable and inclusive perspective. PROGRAM | REGISTRATION

This meeting aims to highlight the opportunities that await those who decide to undertake business in the agricultural and livestock sectors, driven by the power of innovation, technology, and knowledge . The event seeks to be a catalyst for the renewal of the field, exploring how the latest technological trends and scientific advances can optimize production, improve sustainability, and open new paths to profitability. In this endeavor, the role of young entrepreneurs is fundamental. They will be the key players, capable of identifying market niches, developing differentiated products and services, and building resilient and prosperous businesses. It is organized by the Córdoba Technology Park, together with the Higher Technical School of Agricultural and Forestry Engineering (ETSIAM), the International Chair of Artificial Intelligence and Agriculture - CIIAA and the Chair of Agricultural and Food Innovation of the Caja Rural del Sur Foundation, of the University of Córdoba, with the collaboration of the Acelera Pyme Office of CETEMET, the Cajamar Foundation and Yara Iberian. At the opening roundtable, expert voices such as agri-food journalist Elisa Plumed and established professionals from companies such as Covap, Yara Iberian, Almazaras Industriales and Fundación Cajamar will present the business and professional development opportunities offered by the agri-food sector . Four subsequent thematic sessions will address how technology, innovation, and knowledge are key tools for the professional development of these young entrepreneurs . Success stories from various fields will also be shared. The sessions are aimed at entrepreneurs with innovative ideas, young professionals in the agricultural sector, researchers and technologists with solutions applicable to the field, and anyone interested in the transformative potential of innovation in agriculture and livestock.

Objectives: Knowledge of the Spanish water reuse regulations. Risk management, additional requirements, and preventive measures to ensure the safe use and management of reclaimed water. Integrated irrigation management with reclaimed water. Advantages and disadvantages. Mixing water for fertigation. Aimed at: Technicians serving Irrigation Communities and managers of administrations, universities, companies and professionals related to irrigation and the latest technologies applied to agriculture For any questions you may have, please contact us by phone at 913475990 or by email at: bzn-formregadios@mapa.es REGISTRATION | TRIPTYCH

The Simbioliva Operational Group plans to hold an informative presentation on April 9 at the Orujera Interprovincial Conference in Fuente de Piedra. As part of a training program run by an educational institution in collaboration with the University of Malaga (UMA) , students from the NCEC (Saudi Arabia's National Center for Environmental Control) will be visiting the Simbioliva Operational Group project. The goal is to raise awareness of the Spanish model for valorizing alperujo (a type of olive oil), as well as the various R&D&I alternatives and initiatives applied to this byproduct. This project is also presented as a benchmark for innovation in the use of alperujo (a type of olive oil), serving as an inspiration for other agricultural sectors worldwide.

The Zafra Spring Fair, held from April 4th to 6th, will once again feature cattle. The three-day fair will feature exhibitions and sales of select livestock, three technical sessions, dressage and western competitions, official auctions, and other leisure activities. CONTACT | PROGRAM

Next Tuesday, March 25, at 11:00 a.m., the PROVACUNO stand at FIGAN (Hall 6, Stand CD 31-36) will host the presentation of the SECUESVAC Operational Group , an innovative project focused on optimizing carbon sequestration in agricultural soils associated with beef production in Spain. Javier López, director of PROVACUNO , the entity representing the project, will be in charge of explaining the objectives and progress of SECUESVAC, which seeks not only to contribute to climate neutrality by 2050, but also to preserve the rural environment where beef production takes place. The SECUESVAC Operational Group is 100% funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, within the framework of the National Strategic Plan for the CAP (PEPAC) 2023-2027. The project's total investment amounts to €548,889.40, and the Directorate-General for Rural Development, Innovation and Agri-Food Training (DGDRIFA) is the managing authority for the aid. It is recommended to confirm attendance to facilitate the organization of the event.

The 17th edition of the International Fair for Animal Production ( FIGAN ) will take place from March 25 to 28, 2025 at the Feria de Zaragoza facilities. FIGAN aims to become the meeting point for the livestock sector in the Iberian Peninsula once again. At the last edition, 987 exhibiting companies presented the most outstanding technological innovations , in 77,083 m2 of surface area. Among the main attractions of FIGAN 2025: An outstanding selection of pure breeds Various competitions and exhibitions Genetics Health Feeding Equipment Aquaculture A prominent presence of the equine sector

The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food, Luis Planas , will present the Agrifood Training Strategy "Sow, Grow, and Harvest Your Future" at an event to be held on Thursday, March 20, at 10:00 a.m. at the ministry's headquarters. This strategy is an initiative of the Ministry to promote the professionalization of the agri-food sector through training, capacity building, and talent attraction, within the framework of the ecological and digital transition. The meeting, which will be closed by the Secretary of State for Agriculture and Food, Begoña García , will feature professionals from various fields participating in a panel discussion that will address the sector's challenges , entrepreneurship opportunities, and showcase success stories. The importance of using technology as an incentive for new generations will also be analyzed. Participating in the panel will be Gabriel Trenzado , director general of Cooperativas Agroalimentarias, and José Emilio Guerrero, professor of Animal Production at the University of Córdoba. Also participating will be the director of the ES San Isidro Secondary Education Institute in Talavera de la Reina (Toledo), Teresa Valero , whose school teaches the new higher level training cycle in Livestock and Animal Health Assistance, the young entrepreneur Sergio Arribas , who will present his vision of new crops in Castilla La Mancha, and the director of Talent at Hispatec, Inma Trapero, a human resources specialist.

The Agricultural and Agri-Food Technology Centre ( ITAGRA ) is organizing the conference “Agrovoltaics = energy + crops. A double use of the land” , which will take place on Wednesday, February 26 at the Palace of the Provincial Council of Palencia. Experts in the subject will talk about the current state of this technology, the financing of projects, and the innovative examples that exist in Castilla y León, among other issues. During this conference, the GO CONTROL project will be disseminated. About the CONTROL Operational Group The Task Force on Optimization and improvement of the efficiency of solar irrigation through the use of digital technology, applying artificial intelligence (GO CONTROL), is framed in the context of water needs in the field. One of the greatest limitations in agriculture is knowing when to irrigate and in what quantity. Technological innovation is the key to solving this and the great revolution of ICT technologies, sensors and automatic processing capacity has opened up new possibilities for water and energy optimization. The compatibility of solar irrigation with digital technology would make it possible to stop this phenomenon of depopulation in rural areas, contributing to improving economic performance and creating value in these spaces. Women have a key role in the rural world that can be enhanced by activities that generate economies induced by the principal. The group's objectives are: Transforming agriculture into a smart and highly technological sector, applying digital technologies and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in solar irrigation and crop development. Digital technologies and AI, through the use of sensors and drones to validate results, will improve the efficiency of solar irrigation, making the most of natural resources and reducing water and energy consumption. Process analysis and definition of control algorithms will enable the development of applications for farmers' devices.

During this session, the Recicland project will be presented , and theory will be taught on the environmental consequences of hazardous waste management and on the internal management of pesticide containers, broth residues, and expired or discontinued products on the farm, as well as on the management of this hazardous waste off-farm.

From 10 to 12 December 2024 , Brussels will host the second edition of the EU Agri-Food Days . This annual event brings together key players in the agri-food sector from across the European Union to discuss the latest trends in agriculture, policy options and market developments, as well as the impact of research, innovation and digital technologies on the future of European agriculture. Over three days, the event will provide a unique platform for dialogue between stakeholders in the agri-food system, civil society, academia and policy makers. EU Agri-Food Days Programme The future of agriculture and food in the EU. Farmers' perspectives on modern agriculture. Position of farmers in the food value chain. Agricultural market outlook in the EU. Sustainable competitiveness and trade policies for food sovereignty. Research, innovation and digitalisation in the agri-food sector. Challenges and opportunities for young farmers. Practical information: Dates: December 10 - 12, 2024. Location: Brussels, Belgium. Live streaming: available without prior registration. Organizer: EU Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development. Social media: Follow the event with the hashtag #EUAgriFoodDays . This event will provide an opportunity to reflect on the current and future challenges of the European agri-food sector, and how policies such as the CAP and the European Green Deal can help build a greener, fairer and more competitive agriculture.

The Economics, Post-harvest and Industry Working Groups of the Spanish Society of Horticultural Sciences (SECH) are organizing a new online Congress on "The agri-food challenge in the face of climate change" that will take place online on December 3 and 4 . The challenges of the agri-food sector in the current climate change scenario and the 2030 Agenda require a response from the entire agri-food chain, from production, through industry, process improvement, marketing and responsible food consumption, and influencing the responsibility of society itself. These challenges become challenges and opportunities that will be addressed at the Congress. The conference will be organised in sessions that will include oral presentations and invited speakers with works related to fruit and vegetable production, post-harvest, circular economy and environmental sustainability.

The 1st National Meeting of Young People and Hosts participating in the Cultiva Program will take place in Madrid on November 27. This program promoted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food provides young people from rural areas with access to on-site training, guided by the managers of model farms, examples of good practices and the implementation of innovation in the sector. In order to bring together the participants of the CULTIVA Programme (young people, hosts of model farms and management entities) from the 2020 to 2023 editions, and to create a network among all of them to discuss this initiative and the generational change in the agricultural sector, this meeting will take place, which will include discussion panels and activities that promote the exchange of experiences. REGISTRATION until Friday, November 15th.

The 2nd Congress of Agricultural Engineering, organised by the Council of Official Colleges of Technical Agricultural Engineers of Spain and the Official College of Technical Agricultural and Forestry Engineers of Catalonia, will take place on 13 and 14 November at the Higher Technical School of Agri-Food and Forestry Engineering and Veterinary Medicine of the University of Lleida. The central themes of its seven sessions include water management, the food chain, agrivoltaics, green spaces and urban trees, hydrological forest management and plant health. PROGRAM | REGISTRATION

The 3rd Catalonia Biogas Forum will take place on 24 October, as part of the European Biogas Week. Organised by the Bioenergy Cluster of Catalonia, it will address various aspects of the production and use of this energy source, showcasing various success stories and offering a space to discuss its future and build relationships between the various actors in the sector who will participate in the meeting. REGISTRATION

Meeting point between researchers and professionals related to organic waste management to analyze and debate the situation of its treatment from a technical and social point of view, highlighting the transfer of knowledge to the industrial sector . The Conference has the collaboration of the Spanish Composting Network and is organized by the RNM271 group of the Department of Inorganic Chemistry and Chemical Engineering of the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Córdoba. PROGRAM | REGISTRATION | HEADQUARTERS | Information and contact: 957485848 / 667833701 email: rec24@piccongresos.com

This is the fourth and last of their series of webinars on the role of the agri-food sector in the European Union. A series of talks that focus on the more strategic vision of the sector in terms of its policies, profitability, the farms themselves and the people who are part of the sector. On June 25, the day will take place that addresses an open debate on the role of innovation and new technologies . It will feature the direct participation of young farm owners and agri-food industries. The following will participate in the webinar: Ignacio Atance Muñiz, Director of the Research Department of Grupo Cajamar. Marcos Garcés Lizama, Farmer and head of the Agricultural Youth of COAG. Marta Llorente, cattle breeder and farmer. Andrés Montoya Sánchez, Director at Bio Campojoyma. Miguel Antona San Millán, Managing Director of INNOPORC. Manuel Lainez Andrés, Director of Innovation and Agri-Food Development at Cajamar.

Abanca Fair Green Week of Galicia The entire value chain of the primary sector, from agriculture, machinery and livestock, to the final product or gastronomic tourism, will once again be the hallmark of the event. The venue is located in the town of Silleda and has magnificent infrastructures covering more than 400,000 m2 of surface area, of which 35,000 m2 are used for exhibitions (distributed in several pavilions) and 55,000 m2 outdoors, as well as 27,000 m2 of green areas. Its pavilions, its auditorium, its multiple rooms and its outdoor spaces give it great versatility. In addition, there are its large car parks, a green ring, an artificial lake and even a helipad, which allow it to adapt to all types of events and needs.

F&A Next is an event about thought leadership and connecting promising startups and scale-ups with dedicated Food & Agtech investors and leading corporations. Includes two days of networking, presentations and discussions on the dynamics of food and agriculture.

Meeting that explores new technologies in food production, highlighting collaboration between companies and technology centers to promote innovation and improve market competitiveness. PROGRAM | REGISTRATION | LOCATION