At the presentation of this year's edition of the FNA, held today at a press conference, Luís Mira, administrator of the National Center for Exhibitions and Agricultural Markets (CNEMA), which promotes the event, stressed that extensive livestock farming "occupies 64% of the useful agricultural area in the national territory" and presents itself as an increasingly important "profitable and sustainable activity" in rural Portugal.

"The objective of choosing this theme is to draw the attention of Portuguese citizens, politicians and the sector to the importance of extensive livestock farming (...). It is a determining activity for the country's sustainability and for the preservation of rural areas", said the also secretary-general of the Confederation of Farmers of Portugal (CAP).

For Luís Mira, this activity allows for "better management of the agricultural territory" and presents several advantages such as the preservation of native breeds and the "qualitative increase of products from pasture animals".

"This activity offers new solutions to improve grazing, adapted to climate change and we want to convey this message: That there are new ways to significantly change the way grazing is done in Portugal", he said.

The 2024 edition was designed to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Feira do Ribatejo, the 60th anniversary of the National Agriculture Fair and the 30 years of activity of CNEMA.

To this end, and with the aim of "welcoming" visitors, the large entrance hall to the building will feature a retrospective exhibition on the historical path of this event, using period photographs, posters from the various editions and a documentary that portrays the evolution of the fair in the last 50 years.

The FNA will be inaugurated on June 8 by the President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, by the Minister of Agriculture, José Manuel Fernandes, and by the Minister of Environment and Energy, Maria Graça Carvalho.

In the previous year, the organization chose not to invite any member of the Government, in a demonstration of dissatisfaction with the policies implemented for the sector.

However, Luís Mira now expresses a feeling of "hope" with the new executive, in the expectation that "conditions will be created so that Portuguese agriculture can grow, export more and become more sustainable".

In the Cloisters, one of the most emblematic spaces of CNEMA, there will be Associations of Native Breeds and companies linked to Livestock that will promote initiatives related to the sector.

One of the great novelties in this year's edition is the creation of a space exclusively dedicated to the youngest, with the aim of teaching the new generations the importance of the agricultural sector through a series of educational activities on agriculture, food and the balance of the environment.

Calling itself an "increasingly environmentally friendly event", the event will provide reusable cups, eco-points for recycling, a station with solar panels for charging phones and a free electric bus service that will connect the city and CNEMA.

Also at the environmental level, the FNA, in partnership with Repsol, will have service cars that will be supplied with 100% renewable fuels, which will allow "a significant reduction in the carbon footprint of up to 90%."

In terms of conferences and debates, Luís Mira highlighted the cycle alluding to "Extensive Rainfed Livestock Farming" to take place on June 11, 12 and 13, with several initiatives on technological evolution and the digitalization of agriculture.

The Nave once again hosts the "Pleasure of Tasting", an initiative that aims to make available to visitors a "wide variety of products" such as olive oil, wines, cheeses, sausages, among others, with live cooking and product tasting, in addition to the usual space dedicated to the "Portugal Sou Eu" Program.

Nave B will have a space dedicated to sector organizations and to the exhibition of equipment and services for agriculture and Nave C will host an exhibition of handicrafts.

Among the musical shows, the organization highlights the concerts with Excesso (June 8), Quatro e Meia (June 9), Diogo Piçarra (June 14) and Davis Antunes (June 15).

June 14 is dedicated to the Municipality of Santarém, with the city council offering tickets to residents of the municipality and holding several initiatives throughout the day with several performances by musical groups and bands, accordion shows, dances with folk groups, juggling, gymnastics, among others.

Leia Também: Laticínios são pilar da economia. Alternativas recorrem a "desinformação" (Portuguese version)