There are many and they are all working towards the same goal: to share knowledge and disseminate the Algarve's traditional varieties of carob, almond, olive and fig, to preserve them and encourage their use, for the good of the economy.
Nine Algarve entities, from different sectors, joined forces to carry out the Technical Journeys «Algarve Traditional Fruits – Tradition and Innovation» that ExpoAlgarve, in the Industrial Zone of Loulé, will host between 30 October and 1 November.
This is an event that is comprehensive in the union of wills it achieved, but also in terms of the target audience. The journeys are technical, but they are not closed in the academic and institutional world, opening the doors to companies and society in general. Thus, the organization extends the invitation to participate to anyone who is a «producer, researcher, trader, technician, student, works or intends to develop activity in the area».
Even because one of the goals, as he revealed to the Sul Informação Ana Arsénio, from In Loco, one of the entities involved in organizing the event, is to convince young farmers to bet on these varieties.
«The main objective of these days is to work the row of these four traditional cultures in the region. But not in the sense that everything is done as it used to be. We want to empower the new generation so that they can invest in this area», revealed Ana Arsénio, through the knowledge that has been generated about the Algarve's carob, fig, almonds and olives.
Ana Arsenic. "Betting on these cultures can generate gains for the local economy and jobs, while maintaining the landscape, which is also important"
Thus, the conferences will be very focused on the business component and on sharing knowledge, which will enable the potential of the businesses of those who invest in the production and transformation of these products. And this involves also focusing on «the components of export and marketing».
The program is ambitious, admits Ana Arsénio, but supported on a very broad and diversified basis. In fact, to refer to all entities that belong to the organizing working group, an entire paragraph is needed:
In Loco Association; Interprofessional Association for the Development of Production and Valorization of Carob; Loulé City Council; Algarve Regional Directorate of Agriculture and Fisheries; University of Algarve – Higher Institute of Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology and CRIA; Alte Professional School; Algarve Regional Development Commission; NERA – Business Association of the Algarve Region and ACRAL – Association of Commerce and Services of the Algarve Region.
«This event is not designed by just one entity, but a meeting of common objectives and the will to implement a strategic vision for the future. We all believe that these cultures are decisive for the future of the region», considered the In Loco technician, who is closely linked to the promotion of this event.
“Betting on these cultures can generate gains for the local economy and jobs, while maintaining the landscape, which is also important”, he summed up. Hence, there are activities specifically aimed at the economic fabric.
The Business to Business (B2B) meetings, which are being promoted by CRIA – Division of Entrepreneurship and Technology Transfer of the University of Algarve, are the initiative most directly related to entrepreneurs.
Here, economic agents can exchange views with their peers “to leverage synergies” and exchange experiences. “Often, those who work or want to work with a crop, don't know where to find certain regional varieties. These meetings end up being very useful, also in this aspect», exemplified Ana Arsénio.
Those interested in registering for these meetings, can do it online, until October 27th.
Regional varieties waiting for those who grow them
While finding the ideal regional variety is not always easy, they do exist and just wait for someone to grow them and, in the process, preserve them. «We managed to find regional varieties and we still have time to recover them, for the most part. But that may not happen for much longer», warned Ana Arsénio.
The agronomic engineer recalls the case of almond trees. "It is sad to realize that we have lost many varieties of this species," he said.
In this field, the region has the University of Algarve which is «a strong ally» of those who want to keep the traditional varieties.
“We need research that can be applied in the field. UAlg knows this and has good researchers working in the area», considered Ana Arsénio.
Days offer many activities, totally free
Participating in the “Fruteiras Tradicionais do Algarve – Tradition and Innovation” Technical Journeys doesn't cost (really) anything, despite the many actions that will be carried out. Entrance is free, so “you have to take advantage”, although registration in the activities is mandatory, given the space limitations.
Over the three days, the «Technological and Information Show», a space dedicated to the exhibition/demonstration of technologies, equipment, products, among others, aimed at the production, transformation and sale of Carob, Almond, Olive and Fig.
There will also be several Workshops, Focus Groups and Seminars, «moments of sharing and learning new knowledge dedicated to the sectors of production, transformation and marketing» of the four cultures in focus. The program can be downloaded here.
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