The winners of the two competition categories in the Agricultural Innovation Award, organized by Timac Agro and Expresso for the third consecutive year, are now known. For its work on environmental, social and economic sustainability, Casa Relvas won the Farmer of the Year Award, while a pilot project for the management of vineyard weeds, designed by the Instituto Superior Técnico/University of Lisbon, won the Innovation Award.
More than recognition, the distinctions serve to “motivate by example” and encourage the agro-industrial sector to adopt the best practices in terms of sustainability, pointed out Rui Rosa. The president of Vitas Portugal considers that “agriculture is the main element of cohesion in the territory” and that it is important to highlight the sector’s role in innovation.
This was, in fact, one of the main topics at the round table that brought together António Costa Silva, former Minister of Economy, Nuno Canada, president of the jury and president of INIAV, and Francisco Gomes da Silva, former secretary of State and general director of Agroges.
The Timac Agro Expresso Agriculture Innovation Award also awarded two honorable mentions: “Use of UV radiation to induce resistance to pests and diseases”, from UTAD and FCUP, and Agrosweb360, from Agrosustentável. “They were high quality applications”, highlighted Nuno Canada.
Discover the main conclusions of the event below.
Feed the world more efficiently
- Despite Portugal and Europe being in what António Costa Silva considers “demographic regression”, food consumption continues to increase throughout the world and this represents an added challenge for agriculture. “In a future with more pests and diseases, we need to produce in a more sustainable way”, highlighted Nuno Canada, who points to the use of “new production technologies” as a way to increase soil efficiency.
- Producing more with less implies not only the use of technological tools, but also additional care for the health of the land. Here, suggested Jéssica da Costa, from Timac Agro Internacional, it is urgent to prioritize innovation that “improves the soil’s capacity to retain nutrients” and make “fertilizers and fertilizers more sustainable”.
- “We have been on an extraordinary journey: in the last 20 years we have increased water efficiency levels by more than 50%”, highlighted Francisco Gomes da Silva, who recalled that concern for the environment is nothing new for farmers.
- But there are challenges, speakers acknowledge. In addition to the growing weight of the effects of climate change and increased consumption, the shortage of qualified labor and the widespread use of cutting-edge technology in the fields are obstacles that must be overcome. At the table, a greater focus on qualification and improving the sector’s attractiveness to younger and more qualified people was suggested.
- On the other hand, added António Costa Silva, it is necessary to improve the competitiveness of companies in the agro-industrial sector, which have an increasing weight in national exports. “The State has to look at taxation, energy costs, the productivity shock and digital farms”, suggests the former ruler. “Taxation on companies is excessive in Portugal”, he highlighted.
Timac Agro Expresso Agriculture Innovation Award Winners
Innovation Award | “Vineyard Weed Management by Infrared Radiation”, from Instituto Superior Técnico/University of Lisbon
Farmer of the Year Award | Casa Relvas
Honorable Mentions | “Use of UV radiation to induce resistance to pests and diseases”, by UTAD and FCUP, and Agrosweb360, by Agrosustentável
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