Competition for Innovations at Agra, Vinaria and Foodtech 2024

The Innovation Competition in Agriculture, the Food Industry and the Wine Industry was once again held at the initiative of the International Fair Plovdiv and under the auspices of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food. This year, 35 companies and 15 research institutes participated with innovative products, developments and technologies, which competed in ten categories.

The awards in the category “Scientific Developments“ of the Innovation Competition were presented to the winners by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Kiril Vatev, who wished all participants “more Bulgarian seeds, more arable land and more Bulgarian fruits and vegetables“.

“Virginia 0842“ – a new large-leaf tobacco variety in the official variety list of Bulgaria

The research team of the Institute of Tobacco and Tobacco Products received a diploma for its large-leaf tobacco variety Virginia 0842, and the Institute of Field Crops – Chirpan, for two of its developments: cotton variety Snezhina and cotton variety Selena.

Hybrid maize – Knezha 653, and hybrid maize – Knezha 652, of the Maize Research Institute – Knezha, were also awarded a diploma.

The scientists from the Dobrudzha Agricultural Institute were awarded a diploma for two of their developments: sunflower hybrid DALENA CLP and winter common wheat variety “Shibil“.

Assoc. Prof. Tsvetanka  Dincheva from VCRI “Maritsa“

The Vegetable Crops Research Institute “Maritsa“ was distinguished for a Manual of Technological Instructions, which compiles information on traditional and non-traditional crop varieties.

A device for passive sorting of fruits and vegetables is an innovation of the Institute of Soil Science, Agrotechnologies and Plant Protection “N. Poushkarov“, which the competent jury distinguished with a diploma.

The highest award in the competition – a plaque and a diploma, was won by the Institute of Forage Crops – Pleven, for a technology for growing technical sorghum (broomcorn). Three more innovations of the research team were awarded a diploma: a technology for seed production of perennial cereal grasses, a technology for the production of forage and seeds from spring forage pea and a technology for the establishment and use of meadows and pastures.

Organic diabetic biscuits “Kalia“ of the Institute of Cryobiology and Food Technologies were awarded a diploma by the expert jury. The Institute of Food Preservation and Quality – Plovdiv received a diploma for two of its innovative products: fruit candies from prunes and grapefruit, without added sugar, and a spread with sunflower protein and thyme extract.

Three proposals of the Institute of Mountain Stockbreeding and Agriculture – Troyan were distinguished with a diploma: cow’s cheese from the Simmental breed in a clay jug, cow’s cheese from the Simmental breed in a clay pot with a lid and a flavouring agent from derivatives.

Assoc. Prof. Sokolov, Director of the Plovdiv Fair,  presented a plaque to the Chairperson of the Agricultural Academy Prof. Violeta Bozhanova for successful cooperation and contribution to the development of AGRA 2024. The Agricultural Academy participated in the exhibition with a full range of research institutes, research centres and research stations.

The President of VUARR Assoc. Prof. Svetla Dimitrova presented the Laureate Agrarian Science award to Assoc. Prof. Katya Uzundzhalieva, Director of the Institute of Plant Genetic Resources K. Malkov – Sadovo, for her overall contribution to the development of agrarian science.

Section “Varieties of Seeds and Planting Material“

The Regional Governor Eng. Iliya Zyumbilev awarded and congratulated the innovators in two sections. He presented a diploma for innovation in varietal seeds and planting material to Geosem Select Ltd. for the new tomato variety Prista F1, to the Institute of Agriculture and Seed Science “Obraztsov Chiflik“ – Ruse, for alfalfa variety “Tsveta“ and to the Institute of Agriculture – Karnobat for winter multi-row barley, variety Yuli Byan.

Section “Machines and Technologies for Wine and Spirits Production“.

Eng. Dr. Zyumbilev presented a plaque and a diploma to Rox Winery Ltd. for CHARDONNAY BARRIQUE GOLD with gold particles, a diploma to DD Ltd. for Natural Jujube Liqueur and to BeVine Ltd. for BeVine – A solution for optimisation and management from the vineyard to the bottle. All three innovations are from the section “Machines and Technologies for Wine and Spirits Production“.

In the section “Fertilisers and Plant Protection Products for Agriculture“ the most distinguished participant was AMITITSA Ltd. Four innovations of the company won diplomas for innovative products: Inoculants 130 FS and 280 FS, fungicides Julieta and Curatio, insecticide Limocid, microbiological fertiliser “Surian“, hydrated lime “Fimum Fruchtkalk“. One of them is intended for adapting crops to climate change and droughts.

Also in the interest of agricultural producers are the other products distinguished in the competition: organic soil improver Terra Vita W of GLOBAL AGRO SOLUTION Ltd., a series of innovative fertilisers Amino Ultra Line of Intermag Ltd. from Poland; USB 2020 – a product containing chitosan, copper and zinc of KWS Agro Bulgaria Ltd. A plaque and a diploma for an innovative product were awarded to Tera Way Industrial Innovations JSC for the liquid microbial fertilisers Azotovit/Phosphatovit. Their main advantages: high yields, low costs, low carbon footprint and non-GMO. The awards were presented by Prof. Vladislav Popov from the Agricultural University – Plovdiv.

The Chairperson of the Agricultural Academy Prof. Violeta Bozhanova awarded the winners in the section for machinery and implements for crop production. The highest distinctions – a plaque and a diploma for innovation, were won by an autonomous agricultural robot and the inter-row folding shredder RLMS 63. The first innovation is by NIK Electronics Ltd., and the second by the largest enterprise for the production of agricultural machinery Madara Agro Ltd. The self-propelled plant protection sprayer, model LEEB VN, exhibited by AGROTRON 2007 Ltd., and the GPS and laser levelling scraper of ZARAMAK Ltd. were distinguished with a diploma. A diploma for an innovative product was awarded to the Kioti HN tractor of SD Draganovi Partnership, as well as to the robotic mower with wireless installation of Kolezhikov Ltd.

In the section “Machines and Technologies for the Food Industry“ the awards were presented by the Head of the Department of Biotechnology Prof. Angel Angelov. The highest distinction – a plaque and a diploma, was won by Biocom Trendafilov Ltd. for the Enzymatic Technology Realco.

Here are the other awardees: Bio Nuts Niki Ltd. for chocolate halva with nuts and dried fruits without sugar; Bright Stock Ltd. for a Technology for Sustainable Packaging of Shipments; Protey – M Ltd. for Enterosan MS+. Strandzha Eco Pack Ltd. received a diploma for three products: honeydew cream honey with activated charcoal; honeydew honey and lyophilised donkey milk; honeydew bee honey and lyophilised spirulina (from algae) MACHTA. A milk cooling tank with a digital control panel of Toni Start Silistra Ltd. also received a diploma for an innovative product from the Innovation Competition.

The Design Competition is an established tradition within the framework of the exhibitions “AGRA“, “VINARIA“ and “FOODTECH“. It is organised by the International Fair Plovdiv in partnership with the National Association for Design and Advertising and the company “IZA – art“.

At an official ceremony in the “Plovdiv“ Hall of the Congress Center, in the section for exhibition design, certificates were awarded to: ENKO PLAST Ltd. with designer Eng. Iliya Petkov, AGREEDO Ltd. with designer Arch. Ivan Andonov and GLASS PAK TRADE Ltd. with designer Stefan Petkov.

The grand prize “Crystal Tetrahedron“ was awarded by the jury in the section “Packaging Design“ to BLACK SEA GOLD Pomorie. The company was distinguished for families of labels and packaging, as well as for the overall corporate design of the stand.