AGRA 2022 – scientific research and innovations are an investment in the future

The official award ceremony of the “Innovation Competition” of AGRA, Vinaria and FoodTech 2022 was held under the motto “Scientific research and innovation are an investment in the future“. A total of 49 products, scientific developments and technologies of 26 companies and 11 scientific institutes took part in the ten sections of the competition this year. The competition for innovation in agriculture, the food industry and the wine sector is once again held at the initiative of the International Fair Plovdiv.

At the beginning of the ceremony, the Academic Council of the Higher School of Agribusiness and Regional Development presented the award “Scientist of the Year in the Field of Agricultural Sciences”. The prize was awarded to Assoc. Prof. Dimitar Yakimov, PhD, from the Higher School of Agribusiness and Regional Development – Veliko Tarnovo Branch, for the development of a model for a composition for coronavirus therapy by increasing the nutritional value of products.

Prof. Dimitar Grekov, PhD, presented the awards in the section “Seed Varieties and Planting Material“. A plaque and a diploma were awarded to the Fruit Growing Institute – Plovdiv for the new plum variety PAGANE.

The Maritsa Vegetable Crops Research Institute was awarded a diploma for innovative product for the new salad cucumber variety “Tereza“. The variety is characterized by a strongly developed habitus and numerous branches. The fruits are 26–28 cm long, the skin is dark green, covered with sparse delicate warts and white spines. “Tereza“ combines the requirements for increased productivity, disease resistance, and very good morphological and taste qualities.  

The Maize Research Institute – Stara Zagora also received a diploma for innovative product for the maize hybrids Knezha 573, Knezha 575 and Knezha 651.

In the section “Scientific Activity and Developments“ the awards were presented by the President of the Agricultural Academy, Prof. DSc Eng. Martin Banov. A plaque and a diploma were awarded to the Institute of Soil Science, Agrotechnology and Plant Protection “N. Pushkarov“ for an installation for purification of sunflower oil using an ultrasonic field. The Dobrudzha Agricultural Institute – General Toshevo was awarded a diploma for the hybrid sunflower “Krasela“, and a diploma was also awarded to the Institute of Rose and Essential Oil Crops – Kazanlak, for the perfume “Tobacco and Roses“.

In the section “Fertilisers and Preparations for Agriculture“ the distinctions were presented by Assoc. Prof. Dimitar Panayotov, PhD, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture at Trakia University. Three representative companies for innovations in organic farming were distinguished.

The first is Summit Agro Romania SRL – Bulgaria branch, which received a plaque and a diploma for the bacterial soil improver named “Amilis“, produced in France.

The innovation for biostimulation of plant growth and physiological development TYTANIT, produced by the Polish company Intermag and presented in Bulgaria by ASD Ltd., received a diploma.

The specialised commission also distinguished the biofertiliser with insecticidal action “Metamax“ of Global Agro Solution Ltd.

In the category “Machinery and Equipment for Crop Production“ two companies received a plaque and a diploma for innovative product: Pleven Agroconsult Ltd. Bulgaria with the product “Machines and bags for storage of grain and feed“ and Granit Parts (sub-exhibitor of Postrade) for the product “Proboss seat as3520 air suspension seat as3520 air suspension3“. Both products are of German manufacture and quality, and the awards were presented by Assoc. Prof. Sava Tabakov, PhD – Dean of the Faculty of Viticulture and Enology at the Agricultural University – Plovdiv.

Prof. Angel Angelov from the University of Food Technologies presented the awards in the category “Crop Production Technologies“. A plaque and a diploma were awarded to “Fiamma“ Ltd. for the product “Sacho Geacut cultivator-chopper“, manufactured by the Spanish company “Tmc Cancella“. A diploma was also awarded to the Bulgarian company “Pridistic“ Ltd. – 2 for the innovative product “Gras smart farming systems“, which is at a global level for precision agro-solutions.

The Executive Director of the International Fair Plovdiv, Bogomil Bonev, presented the distinction in the section “Machinery and Technologies for the Production of Wine and Spirits“. Adig Ltd. received a plaque and a diploma for the personal programmes for sustainable viticulture and winemaking Enoteris, produced by the French company Sofralab Martin Valatte.

In the section “Machinery and Technologies in the Food Industry“ three companies were distinguished. A plaque and a diploma were awarded to the product “Finely ground rosehip husk sweetened with finely ground fruit fructose“. The innovation is by the Bulgarian company “Balevski & Kirov“ Ltd. A clinical unit for beef production of Blitz Ltd. – 1 was awarded a diploma for innovative product. The Dimitrovgrad company “The Farm 2016“ Ltd. was also distinguished for a new type of sweets made from donkey milk, developed with the assistance of the “Alpi“ factory. The awards were presented by the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Momchil Nekov, PhD.