SUBSIDIES, MARKETS, FRUIT PROCESSING IN THE LIMELIGHT

The Fruit & Vegetable Conference was formally opened by the Swietokrzyskie Voivodeship
Marshal Adam Jarubas

The Marshal's Office is also the organiser of the HORT-TECHNIKA Expo accompanying Fruit & Vegetable Conference.  This has brought together the representatives of the  Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development  Adam Jarubas - the Marshal Świętokrzyskie province, Czeslaw Siekierski MEP, MP and Miroslaw Maliszewski - the President  of the Republic of Poland Fruit-Farmers Association. There were also numerous representatives agricultural institutions and focusing growers associations.   

- Sandomierz area is Poland's second largest region as far as orchard production is concerned; the south of the region famous for the vegetable production.  It is worth remembering that Świetokrzyskie region, among its four key specializations focusses upon modern agriculture and food processing. I am glad that this issue is discussed at Targi Kielce, and associated with the HORT-TECHNIKA Expo. Targi Kielce is famous for its spring, agricultural expo Agrotech, I wish it would also gain fame with its new fruit and vegetable trade show. The strength of Polish fruit and vegetable producers lies in cooperation. This and many other topics will be discussed during the first-time conference - said Adam Jarubas.

The day-long conference attracted so many attendees, that extra chairs had to be brought in. The sessions featured most topical issues, such as EU programs subsidies.  One of the topics attracted the conference participants' most avid interest; i.e. the future of Polish producer groups - opportunities and threats.

Witold Boguta - Chairman of the National Association of Fruit and Vegetables Manufacturers Group holds it, that apples production and sales in particular will needed stronger cooperation of producers. He also added - There should be a stronger participation in producer groups and organizations. Now only about 10% of apple producers are members of these associations.  It needs to be stressed that small groups cluster into larger consortia. Until now four of them have been created.  It is a future-proof solution, especially in the apples export sector.

Other themes the conference included were: "Processing as an alternative for sales - added value", "Integrated farming", and "Basics of integrated pest protection for fruit crops".