In 2026, the city of Cordoba will host the ‘World cheese prices‘, the largest cheese competition in the world, in which more than 40 countries participate and from which the best cheeses in the world are chosen. It is, said the Minister of Agriculture of the Government of Andalusia, “a prestigious event that highlights the high quality and flavor of Andalusian products, having designated our territory as the future headquarters and the transformed into a global showcase for the dairy sector.
The announcement was made during the presentation of the XVIII Andalusia Prize for Agriculture and fishing 2024, which took place this Tuesday in Cordoba, and where he congratulated the winners, “entities and people dedicated to the land, passionate about the sea and 100% committed to sustainability and rural development. “His excellence and dedication contribute to making Andalusia an entrepreneurial land and the main axis of the European trade balance.”
During his speech, the advisor guaranteed the “firm and unwavering” support of the Andalusian government to the agriculture and fishing sector facing the “path strewn with pitfalls” that they encounter with drought, torrential rains, increased costs or a “completely unfair” CAP. “We are and will continue to be your voice from Andalusia, from Madrid, from Brussels or wherever it is necessary,” he assured.
These prices, which were submitted 53 applicationsrecognize the professional career and activity of citizens and professionals; as well as public and private entities dedicated to the agricultural sectors, cattle breedingfishing, aquaculture and agri-food.
There are ten winners. Firstly, the Andalusian Conference of Regulatory Councils of Protected Designations of Origin and Geographical Indications (CADO) was awarded in the Agriculture category for being an awareness-raising instrument capable of reaching more than 10,000 producers integrated into the various quality figures and to focus on a model combining agro-industry and rural development.
The brotherhood of fishermen Motril was awarded in the fishing category for its contribution to the local and regional economy; as well as for their involvement and commitment to environmental protection and the development of sustainable fishing. It collaborates with several universities such as that of Cádiz, with which it launched the Ecopuertos project more than ten years ago for the collection and study of marine waste.
In the quality promotion category, the Huelva cooperative Ovipor SCA was awarded, composed of 850 breeders. It stands out for having created a cooperative model that meets all the needs of partners in terms of diversification of the marketing of production; as well as providing them with all the elements necessary for their farms; in addition to training and information.
In the innovative initiative section, the prize was awarded to the biologist Juan Manuel García de Lomas who, thanks to the leadership of the Technological Center Foundation Aquaculture of Andalusia (CTAQUA), promoted the aquaculture sector linked to innovation.
Rational use of natural resources
In the sustainability category, there were two winners. On the one hand, the project Agromitiga Lifea project coordinated by the Spanish Association of Agriculture for the Conservation of Living Soils which is strongly committed to the rational use of natural resources through agricultural practices of conservation. And, on the other hand, the producer organization specializing in TOOPS of avocado and mango for its overall sustainable development approach.
Likewise, in the communication and rural world section, two winners were rewarded. First of all, to the journalist director of Agropopular, César Lumbreras, who, through his radio show, makes agriculture and livestock known to all areas of society. Secondly, to the Rural Pact Support Office which, thanks to its work, has created a community at European level on rural development with more than 2,450 members from 30 countries.
In penultimate place, in the women’s initiative category, the engineer was distinguished Blanca Maria Serrano for his journey at the head of Viñedos y Bodega Marcelino Serrano, a company founded in 2002 by his father in Alcalá la Real (Jaén), where he embodies renewal and generational change.
Finally, in the category of efficiency and commitment to water, the Central Council of Water Users of Almanzora Valley for demonstrating innovative management of water resources in irrigation in the province of Almería, betting on the improvement of water efficiency and energy and for the optimization of water resources from different supply sources.
