40th Ovibeja celebrates associations, knowledge sharing, competitiveness and innovation

The celebration of Ovibeja’s 40th anniversary takes place at the end of this month, from April 30th to May 5th, with more exhibitors and greater diversity than in previous years.

Plurality is the main hallmark of the event which, in addition to a wide range of cultural and recreational initiatives, includes exhibitors from the north to the south of Portugal and also from our neighbor Spain, with the exhibition and sale of agri-food products, handicrafts, machinery and equipment agricultural to the most diverse services, a large livestock exhibition, with around 400 animals, mainly of indigenous breeds. The focus will also be on equestrian competitions, dog competitions, sheep competitions (Campaniça, Merina Branca and Merina Preta breeds) and Alentejana breed pigs.

Agricultural associations – which is at the genesis of Ovibeja – will be the central theme, reflected in several conferences. One of them is organized on May 2nd by ACOS, the organization organizing the event. The panel is made up of representatives from the different national agricultural confederations, CAP, CNA, Confagri and AJAP, as well as OVIPOR, a Spanish cooperative, partner of ACOS. The former minister of agriculture and sociologist, Luís Capoulas Santos, was invited to provide a framework on the topic. He has a deep understanding of this reality. Journalist Inês Patola will be moderating. On the table there will still be, as usual, many other topics for reflection and debate promoted by the entities participating in the event.

This edition of Ovibeja takes up the initiative of the Guest Region, which this year will be the Municipality of Fundão. Among other actions planned within the scope of knowledge sharing, one of the highlights is the conference organized by ACOS on Integration of migrants in Baixo Alentejo. In addition to other guests to reflect on this topic of great importance today, the participation of the representative of the Center for Migration of Fundão, Filipa Batista, the Head of Mission of IOM Portugal – International Organization for Migration, Vasco Malta and from an ACOS representative.

With regard to the food sector present in Ovibeja, one of the highlights is the Pavilhão Sabor Alentejo, which appeals to all the senses, with a complete range of top quality agri-food products, from cheeses and sausages, wine, olive oil, bread, honey, sweets, chocolates. The event also features more than a dozen certified meat restaurants, several food and drink kiosks and several Street Food spaces.

Demonstrations of new technologies associated with Artificial Intelligence are planned for Campo da Feira, such as drone crews and other equipment, as well as talks on current topics. This space will feature the presence and participation of several competence centers (which base their activity on research and knowledge projects) of which ACOS is a part, some of them since its foundation. The Municipality of Fundão will also highlight the Agrotech Fundão project, a laboratory in a real context for testing and demonstrating technology to stimulate competitiveness and precision in agriculture.

Regarding the concert lineup and cultural entertainment, one of the several high points is the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the elevation of Cante Alentejano to Cultural and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. The event will bring together, on May 4th (Saturday), after lunch, all groups from Comboio do Cante, from the Greater Lisbon area, and all others from the region and other areas of the country who are available to participate. The idea is to celebrate singing in unison, as happened in 2015, which brought together more than two thousand singers from more than one hundred choral groups. On the various days of Ovibeja there is also music and entertainment in different areas of the event and the big night concerts: Calema, on the 30th of April, Buba Espinho, on the 1st of May, The Lucky Duckies, on the 2nd, UB40 on the 3rd of May and Ana Moura on May 4th.

Source: Press Release / ACOS – Southern Farmers