AGRA 2016 - a venue for agribusiness, wine, food and tourism

A biomethod for soil restoration and a device for capturing queen bees are among the innovations at the Agra 2016 exhibition. Visitors to “Agra”, “Vinaria” and “Foodtech” will also become acquainted with other aspects of agribusiness at the international exhibitions held at the same time: “Api Bulgaria” – for beekeeping, “BioAgra”, “Horeca Plovdiv” – for equipment for hotels, restaurants, cafeterias and retail outlets, and “Flavours of Italy”. The innovation contest will once again feature products that have already been presented at international agricultural exhibitions. More than 30,000 visitors are expected to attend the megaforum at the International Fair Plovdiv. The various institutes of the Agricultural Academy will offer consumers seeds for vegetables and flowers, saplings of various new varieties. You are invited to visit the AGREDO stand in Pavilion No 13 at the International Agricultural Exhibition AGRA – from 24.02.2016

This year’s edition of the forum for agribusiness, wine, food and tourism will be held from 24 to 28 February at the International Fair Plovdiv. Of the seven exhibitions included in the megaforum, the highest growth has been registered by the International Agricultural Exhibition “Agra”, the International Exhibition of Viticulture and Winemaking “Vinaria” and the International Exhibition of Food and Beverages, Packaging, Machines and Technologies “Foodtech 2016”. Within AGRA 2016, the following exhibitions will also be included: “BioAgra”, “Api Bulgaria” – for beekeeping. This shows that the sectors represented there are promising for business and investment. Participation of foreign companies this year has increased by 61% compared to last year. The same trend is observed at the viticulture and winemaking exhibition “Vinaria”, where wineries that have been absent from the forum in Plovdiv for the past 4–5 years have declared their participation.

A biomethod for soil restoration is one of the innovations at the International Agricultural Exhibition “Agra 2016”. Bulgarian scientists have developed an alternative to the well-known methods for regenerating landslide areas, ski slopes, quarries, roadside slopes and others. A mixture including sludge from wastewater treatment plants or from livestock farming and natural microorganisms restores the humus layer, recovers soil fertility and ecological balance. The invention is the work of the Institute of Soil Science, Agrotechnologies and Plant Protection “N. Pushkarov”.

Among the innovations of global significance is also a device for capturing queen bees. It facilitates and speeds up the manipulation, which is carried out with minimal direct contact with the bees. The development is by the Institute of Animal Science in Kostinbrod.

Agricultural Academy

Traditionally, the various institutes of the Agricultural Academy will offer consumers seeds for vegetables and flowers, saplings of various new varieties that are less susceptible to lodging and resistant to drought.

Within the business programme of the exhibition, the Agricultural Academy is organising a discussion forum on the topic – “Expanding the dialogue between science – agricultural business – society” in three panels:

1. “Science in response to the challenges of the agricultural business and society” – 25 February 2016 (Thursday), in Hall 2 of Pavilion 6 from 13:00 to 15:00.

2. “Impact of freshwater aquaculture on the environment and conditions for its sustainable development” – 25.02.2016 (Thursday), in Hall 1 of Pavilion 6 from 13:00 to 17:00.

3. “Science and organic producers together for successful organic farming” - 26.02.2016 (Friday), in Hall “Bulgaria” from 14:00.

The event is organised jointly with the Bulgarian Association of Organic Products. During this forum, the establishment of a technological platform for organic farming will be initiated, uniting all stakeholders (scientific, governmental and non-governmental organisations of organic producers, processors, traders and consumers.

At AGRA 2016, the International Year of Pulses will also be marked on 25.02.2016 (Thursday) from 10:00 in Hall 6, stand M2 – Agricultural Museum, with presentations and an art installation created by the artist Tsetsa Georgieva under the motto: “We support growth, knowledge and inspiration”.

Source: International Fair Plovdiv and Agricultural Academy