The Space Exploraterra, next to the Torreo of Gold in Seville has been the scene of the EIGHTH Congress of the Agri-food of Andalusia, where the epicenter of the presentations revolved around the family business.
So, the congress has been inaugurated by Alvaro Guillén, president of LANDALUZ, José Carlos Gómez, director of University, Research and Innovation of the regional government of Andalusia and Ramón Fernández-Pacheco, minister of Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development of Andalusia, who have welcomed all attendees highlighting the importance of such meetings as these on which is projected the Andalusia of the future and becomes stronger through the exchange of ideas to strengthen the agri-food sector.
By your side Alvaro Guillén, president of LANDALUZ, has taken the word in order to thank all the attendees of the participation in events of this type, in addition, he stressed that the congress revolves around a theme especially relevant and close to many of the attendees: the family business in the food industry. ‘A model that accounts for over 80% of the business fabric of our industry, and that, over the last few decades, has shown an extraordinary capacity for adaptation, commitment, and vision for the future.’
The minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development of Andalusia has reminded us that ‘Andalusia will soon with the First Strategy of Agribusiness’, a roadmap driven together with the ministry of Industry, Energy and Mines that will make the planning of the sector in the period 2025-2027. This strategy aims to ‘improve the competitiveness of our agro-industry, to consolidate the leadership of Andalusia in the markets and to promote a greater balance in the agri-food chain’.
Fernández-Pacheco has insisted that it is ‘a strategy designed for the present, but with a vision of the future’, highlighting the capacity and strength of the sector to tackle the big challenges ahead.
Finally, the counselor of University, Research and Innovation of the regional government of Andalusia has announced the new academic program approved by the Board for the period between 2025 and 2028 provides for the implementation in the public university system of ten degrees related to the agri-food sector, which will contribute to strengthening the training and the academic specialization of the students in this area. The director of the University has stressed the high level of specialisation in innovation and technological development that characterizes the activity itself, agri-food. Precisely, it has ensured that speak of this segment is to talk about ‘necessarily of innovation and quality.’ ‘Just as well it explains how they have been increasing the quality standards and exports, and that this sector remains a key driver and is central to the region,’ concluded the director.
After the inauguration, the attendees were able to enjoy a presentation by Guadalupe Fernandez, curator of the permanent exhibition of the Nao Victoria museum, where he focused on the importance of food andalusian in the first round-the-world of the Nao Victoria.
Subsequently, took place the round table “The family business in the agri-food industry”, which featured Lucy Perez Villamil, a member of Advisory Assets of Abante, as a moderator, and intervened Victoria Gonzalez-Gordon, director of Sustainability of González Byass; Angel Camacho, chief executive officer of Grupo Angel Camacho and Moses Loriente, vice president of Incarlopsa. This round table came up to the attendees to the reality of the family-owned company since different versions. The speakers addressed the evolution of their respective companies and reflected on the role of this type of companies as agents of transformation. Also, they tried key issues such as the importance of maintaining the territorial roots, boosting innovation and commitment to sustainability as a strategic axes.
The Congress continued with the presentation at the hands of the ceo of the Group, Martin Brothers, Vincent, under the name of “The distribution of parents to children,” Vincent put in focus the importance of the new generations.
Finally, was the presenter of television and the medal of Andalusia, Manu Sanchez with his monologue Pride Andalusian, a perfect ending, with good humor and an emotional speech.
For the closing of the event were present Alvaro Pimentel, second deputy mayor of the city of Seville and Jorge Paradela, minister of Industry, Energy and Mines of the Junta de Andalucía.
The VII Congress Agri-food of Andalusia has been possible thanks to the collaboration of Taste of the South – Junta de Andalucía, CaixaBank, CESCE, Triangle Solutions and Brétema Food Security.
