INDAGRA Agricultural Fair
The International trade fair of equipment and products in agriculture, horticulture, viticulture and animal husbandry has opened its doors in Bucharest.
Mihai Pelin, 02.11.2018, 14:04
The largest agricultural and food event in Romania, the INDAGRA fair, is open until Sunday in Bucharest. According to the organizers, some 65,000 visitors are expected at the fair. Hundreds of companies from 25 countries have come with thousands of products and dozens of events. Among the items on display at the fair are agricultural machinery and equipment, traditional foodstuffs, bio products, seeds, fruit trees and flowers. Also, visitors are given the opportunity to taste food and wines.
The Romanian Prime Minister Viorica Dancila has visited the fair and has stated that the authentic traditional products must be helped become known at international level. She has also stated that concrete solutions must be found to support Romanian producers.
Also attending the opening of INDAGRA, the Agriculture Minister Petre Daea spoke about the good results obtained by Romanian farmers this year: “The Government, by means of its agricultural policies and budget allocations, has paved the way for farmers to succeed, both in terms of production and earnings. Although it has been a moody year, with many events hampering agricultural operations, the results obtained are however satisfactory. Until now we have managed to render operational an irrigation system that covers a total area of 1.2 million hectares, ensuring free water for farmers. Also, we have managed to protect some 850,000 hectares by building 60 anti-hail launch points, which have protected vineyards and have helped obtaining a grape production of 1.27 million tons, which is a record figure.”
15 years after the disappearance of domestic production, this year’s edition of INDAGRA presents the first agricultural tractor based on a 100% Romanian concept. 80% of the parts used in the manufacturing of the tractor are made in Romania, and the starting price is 34,500 Euros. The serial production of the tractor is due to start in April, 2019, in Reghin, central Romania. According to estimates, some 200 units are to be manufactured and sold in the first year alone.
At INDAGRA, the animal husbandry stands are also displaying some of the latest and best performing equipment and installations in the field. For the first time, there are no animal stalls present, as all animal fairs have been banned because of the African swine fever outbreak. So far, some 1,060 outbreaks have been confirmed across Romania, and some 356,000 animals have been culled.