The Provincial Council of Albacete presented on Tuesday at the provincial palace the program of its stand for the Expovicaman 2025 fair, which will offer colloquiums on advances in agriculture and technology, exhibitions on new crops, and tastings of products with designation of origin from the province.
The provincial president, Santi Cabañero, described the program for the agricultural and livestock fair that will take place from May 7 to 11 at the fairgrounds of Albacete as «ambitious,» highlighting the institution’s support for the Albacete countryside.
«If we want vibrant villages, we need a future-oriented countryside, and this is achieved through solid alliances, public responsibility, and contact with the actors who are involved in agriculture and livestock on a daily basis,» emphasized Cabañero, noting that the Provincial Council’s budget for this year has increased to over five million euros in rural development, an increase of 800,000 euros compared to 2024.
The Deputy for the Environment, José Antonio Gómez, specified that this year the Council will have two spaces at the fair, in addition to another space dedicated to the animal adoption project ‘Emperrados’.
On May 7, one of the spaces will be inaugurated with a colloquium on the rise of woody crops at 11:30 a.m., and the other area with a practical workshop on agricultural advice. In the afternoon, there will be a demonstration of the digital tool to support farmers in decision-making regarding irrigation and fertilization «RETOagua» and a wine tasting with the Manchuela Designation of Origin (DO).
On May 8 in the morning, the agricultural and livestock market will take place, while in the exhibition area there will be a tasting and talk about saffron.
In the afternoon of that same day, there will be a tasting of the recently achieved Nueces de Nerpio Designation of Origin and a talk by the Red de Nerpio Association, as well as a wine tasting of DO Jumilla.
On May 9 in the morning, there will be a colloquium on machinery, innovation, and technology focused on drones, while in the exhibition area there will be a debate on phytosanitary risks in agriculture. The afternoon will host a talk on the challenges and advances in the cultivation of onions and garlic, as well as a wine tasting of DO La Mancha.
On May 10 in the morning, there will be tastings of Manchego and La Mancha Designation of Origin cheeses, and in the exhibition area, the latest developments on the promising guayule crop led by the Provincial Agronomic Technical Institute (ITAP) will be showcased. The afternoon will focus on tastings of olive oils and DO Almansa wines.
Sunday, May 11 will be dedicated to small farmers with activities for agriculture initiation and recreation for children.
The Deputy for Tourism and Coordinator of the Rural Development Area, Raquel Ruiz, recalled that the Council has invested 250,000 euros in the development of the entire fair calendar of the Consortium of the Albacete Fair Institution (IFAB), responsible for organizing Expovicam.
In addition, an extraordinary contribution of 310,000 euros has been made for the celebration of the agricultural and livestock fair, considering it the main event of the calendar and «a development lever that generates opportunities and a powerful tool to dynamize our rural environment.»
Ruiz highlighted the importance of the agri-food sector for rural tourism, an activity «that increasingly seeks quality experiences connected to the territory and gastronomy,» where the quality of Albacete products «leaves a mark on visitors, is a hallmark of the province, and generates synergies to provide economic opportunities and retain population.»
The agricultural and livestock fair Expovicaman will start this Wednesday and will run until the following Sunday, being one of the most important events in the agri-food sector of the region. The opening hours will be from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.