The Confederation of Farmers of Portugal (CAP) celebrates 50 years and marks the date with a congress that aims to be different in pace and ambition, with few speakers and a lot of time to think. “CAP only organizes congresses on special occasions and 50 years is, in fact, a special occasion”, explains Luís Mira, general secretary of the organization, who highlights the importance of stopping to look at the path taken.
The meeting, which takes place on the 25th and 26th of November, will analyze social, economic and agricultural developments since 1975, culminating in a panel dedicated to the future of technology and scientific knowledge. The approach is admittedly counter-current, leaving aside panels with dozens of interventions lasting just a few minutes, to include long presentations followed by specialized comments.
was, according to data from Pordata, the income from agricultural activity per unit of work per year in 2024. The value is almost double that recorded in 2000, when it did not exceed €9,320
But, looking back, what was the major transformation that defined the current state of the sector? The general secretary of the confederation considers that the greatest achievement of national agriculture was not just the increase in production and efficiency, but the technological revolution that eliminated dependence on the climate. “Modern agriculture is no longer an activity vulnerable to the sun or wind. There are sensors in the soil, real-time data, decisions made by computers. This is no longer futurism, it is everyday life”, he highlights.
The contrast with the 70s could not be greater, starting with the number of workers in the field – 50 years ago, remember, a farm had 15 people in the field and just one in the office. “Today the opposite is happening: there are ten in the office and five in the field, and soon it will be even fewer”, says Luís Mira.
“There is a lot to discuss, and this congress is just the beginning of that conversation”, considers the secretary general
Although he considers that sustainability has always been an important topic for those who make their living from the land, the secretary general recognizes that environmental protection practices have evolved and many of the behaviors previously considered correct would today be considered “environmental crimes”. “It is thanks to technology that we are able to have more environmentally sustainable agriculture. This was something that could not even be considered 50 years ago”, he highlights.
The congress (whose program you can consult in detail at the end of the article) closes with a discussion about what is coming and will feature interventions from academics, political decision-makers and those responsible for the sector. From the government cast, Prime Minister Luís Montenegro and the Ministers of Economy, Agriculture and Environment will be present. The President of the Republic is also confirmed to be present for the start of work on Tuesday.
CAP Fiftieth Anniversary Commemorative Congress
The CAP Fiftieth Anniversary Commemorative Congress will bring together, for two days, experts from various areas to reflect on the last five decades of national agriculture and the social and political transformations during this period. In addition to analyzing the past and present, CAP wants to project the future, discussing the challenges and opportunities of the sector.
When, where and at what time?
The event takes place between Tuesday and Wednesday, the 25th and 26th, at the Pavilhão de Portugal, in Lisbon. On the first day, work is scheduled to start at 3pm and on the second at 9:15am.
- Álvaro Mendonça e Moura, president of CAP
- Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, President of the Republic
- Manuel Braga da Cruz, professor at the Catholic University
- Luciano Amaral, professor at Nova School of Business
- António Barreto, sociologist
- Luís Mira, secretary general of CAP
- José Manuel Fernandes, Minister of Agriculture and Sea
- Carlos Carvalho, engineer
- Francisco Avillez, Agroges scientific coordinator
- João Ferreira Amaral, full professor
- Manuel Castro Almeida, Minister of Economy and Territorial Cohesion
- Maria Graça Carvalho, Minister of Environment and Energy
- Francisco Gomes da Silva, general director of Agroges
- José Manuel Lima Santos, professor at the Instituto Superior de Agronomia
- António Câmara, teacher
- Luís Montenegro, Prime Minister
Why is this event important?
Agriculture has seen major transformations over the last five decades, from the technological revolution that brought machines and digitalization to the fields, to new sustainability and efficiency techniques. At a time when the world population and food consumption are projected to continue to increase at a high rate, it is, more than ever, important to reflect on how to guarantee supply without harming the environment and soil.
Participation in the event is in person.
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