This news article was originally written in Spanish. It has been automatically translated for your convenience. Reasonable efforts have been made to provide an accurate translation, however, no automated translation is perfect nor is it intended to replace a human translator. The original article in Spanish can be viewed at La Fira de Sant Josep supera las expectativas a pesar de la difícil situación económica

The influx of visitors was the best of the past few years, while the number of exhibitors rose 12% compared to last year

The Fira of Sant Josep exceeds expectations despite the difficult economic situation

Drafting Interempresas26/03/2010

March 26, 2010

The Fira of Sant Josep of Mollerussa (Lleida) closed its 138ª Edition, held from 19 to 21 March, achieving a resounding success both in relation to the number of visitors, 190,000, as exhibitors. Thus, the pageant, a predominantly agricultural character, opened involving 301 exhibitors, figure that represented a 12% increase over the previous year. With regard to the origin of these exhibitors, highlighting the increase outside of Catalonia, from other autonomous communities and France. Thus, 85% of participants were from different points of Catalonia, 13% of other points of the Spanish State (Aragon, city Royal, Madrid, Granada, Cáceres and Soria) and the remaining 2% of France.

The director of Fira of Mollerussa, organizing body of the Fira of Sant Josep, Pere Gatnau, showed his satisfaction in the balance sheet to the media. Gatnau referred to surveys of exhibitors where 53 per cent of them reported having achieved the expected results and even 18% of them having them passed. In this sense, he added that these figures "demonstrate that the crisis situation is changing". Also, 85% of the exhibitors expressed his intention of returning the next year, while 15% expressed the need to expand its exhibition space.

Sant Josep Fira hosted over its three days of duration more than 190,000 people, very similar to the previous years figures.

News: better infrastructure and expansion of the agri-food sector

Among the novelties of this 138ª Edition of the fair was the expansion of the agri-food sector with a total of 38 exhibitors, of which 19 were located in the Pavilion of the 125 anniversary and the 19 others presented as a market of producers for direct sales to occupy a tent of 600 square meters located behind the exhibition halls. This tent meant an expansion of the area compared to last year.

The improvement of the facilities with the Pavilion Pla d'Urgell completely renovated and the actions to improve both the 125 th anniversary flag in a part of the hotel grounds, have been, without doubt, another novelty of this edition to improve service to the exhibitors.

The Fira of Sant Josep is a meeting point for professionals, a forum for discussion and analysis and the ideal place to take the pulse of the reality of the sector

The Fira of Sant Josep is a meeting point for professionals, a forum for discussion and analysis and the ideal place to take the pulse of the reality of the sector. In this framework, have been many authorities, personalities from the world of politics and delegations of professionals who moved to Lleida City to visit the agricultural fair.

The Minister of education of the Generalitat de Catalunya, Ernest Maragall, was commissioned to inaugurate the Fira of Sant Josep 138ª Friday 19 days. The Minister referred to the need to invest in education to build a new future model of country, at the time that praised the Mollerussa IES as a reference in educational and economic Institute. The Minister of the Government and administrations public of the Generalitat, Jordi Ausàs, was responsible for closing the pageant on Sunday March 21. Ausàs highlighted the role of the Fira of Sant Josep "making Mollerussa in the capital in the agricultural world". Other authorities who visited the event were Minister of environment and housing of the Generalitat, Francesc Baltasar, who inaugurated the exhibition Habitatge/cat; Minister of agriculture, food and Rural Action of Generalitat, Joaquim Llena, and general director of agriculture and livestock of the Generalitat, Rosa Maria Cubel, who chaired the 'night of the Exhibitor'.

Inauguration of the Fira of Sant Josep, in charge of the Minister of education of the Generalitat de Catalunya, Ernest Maragall.

Award to the livestock and agricultural machinery

A total of 15 machines were presented to the convening this year of the 'award of livestock, agricultural machinery and facilities agroindustrial', competition that aims to highlight and recognize the technical novelties exhibited, as well as facilitate its dissemination in the agricultural sector.

The winners in different categories were as follows:

-Special Award for innovation in the Constructor / / exhibitor of agricultural machinery or livestock of the Spanish State, granted by the Col·legi d'Enginyers de Catalunya (demarcation of Lleida) and worth 1,600 euros:

S.A. Ilemo-Hardi, Lleida

For a kit of XF air for spray Mercury.

-Award for innovation in agricultural machinery from the Col·legi d'Enginyers Tècnics de Lleida and endowed with 1,100 euros:

EMEs Garrigues S.L., Soleràs (Lleida)

By collecting aluminium platform adapted to a "traspalé".

-Innovation in intensive livestock installations Prize, awarded by the Col·legi d'Enginyers Tècnics Agrícoles i Perits Agrícoles de Catalunya (demarcation of Lleida) and endowed with 1,100 euros:

Setpar High-Tech S.L., Roda de Ter (Barcelona)

A robot muñidor for cows.

-Innovation in machinery or facilities agroindustrial Prize, awarded by the Col·legi d'Enginyers Agrònoms of Catalonia and with 1,100 euros:

Tallers Antoni Miquel S.L., Sidamon (Lleida)

For a vehicle of ideal trawling for elements provided with wheels.

The awards were delivered within the framework of the dinner of the Exhibitor, Act which also hosted the award ceremony that Fira of Mollerussa attaches companies during the current year celebrate their anniversary. On this occasion were three companies which celebrated its 50th anniversary: Bosch Maquinària agricultural, Mollerussa; Juscafresa, Camallera (Girona), and Tendals Sangrà, Agramunt (Lleida); and two that reached its 25th anniversary: trailers Beguer, of Barbastro (Huesca), and Sistemes Electrònics Progrés, of Bellpuig (Lleida).

Technical seminars and parallel activities

On the other hand, the director of the contest, Pere Gatnau, in its balance sheet to the means of communication, also referred to the programme of technical seminars and other activities (Interpirenaica bag of grain, competitions, meetings,...) developed within the framework of the fair. This year there was an offer of 13 technical conferences held since Tuesday 16th to Saturday 20th, along with other seven activities further, with a total assistance of up to 1,500 people.

Gatnau had an impact on the quality and professionalism of these days, as well as news and interest of the proposed topics, including: strategies for marketing of quality products; livestock in the international context: insight into French and Chinese; cattle manure management centres: a new opportunity; key management skills, or present and future of the CAP, among other topics.

On day techniques and side events held during the fair was attended by some 1,500 people.