The Government of Castilla-La Mancha has initiated payments totaling 6.1 million euros to the twelve Fruit and Vegetable Producers Organizations (OPFH) within the region, as part of the Feaga 2024 financial year allocations. This funding is expected to be fully distributed by October 15, as stated by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Rural Development, Julián Martínez Lizán, during his visit to the Sociedad Agraria de Transformación (SAT) Campos in Cinco Casas, an established OPFH.
Martínez Lizán highlighted the role of cooperatives and agri-food companies in enhancing their market presence, competitiveness, and profitability through the OPFH structure, emphasizing its contribution to the sector's sustainability in Castilla-La Mancha. He pointed out SAT Campos as a model entity in the region, noting its comprehensive involvement in the production process from nursery to final sale, which ensures the preservation of added value in its products.
At the helm of SAT Campos are José Luis and Sergio Campos, leading a team of nearly a hundred workers. The Minister praised their commitment to modernization and technological advancements in product conditioning, washing, and packaging to satisfy customer demands. He also commended their ability to diversify their product range seasonally, incorporating crops like melon, watermelon, garlic, broccoli, peppers, zucchini, and pumpkin.
Regarding the current year's melon and watermelon campaign, Martínez Lizán described it as successful, attributing the favorable outcome to high quality and effective marketing strategies, both nationally and internationally. He attributed this success to the region's leading position in melon and watermelon production, particularly in the province of Ciudad Real. Preliminary data for 2024 indicates an increase in the cultivation area for these crops, despite a slight dip in production due to cooler temperatures in June. However, the pricing for melon and watermelon remained favorable for producers.
The visit to SAT Campos also included Alcázar de San Juan municipal councilor and provincial delegate of Agriculture of Ciudad Real, Amparo Bremard, alongside councilors Gonzalo Redondo and Benjamín Gallego. They acknowledged SAT Campos' significant role in regional agri-food production and its economic impact, pledging the City Council's support to horticultural and agri-food companies in enhancing their operations.
Source: Top Buzz Times