The farm, a strategic sector of the regional economy

Commitment to quality and modernization

Given the importance of agriculture in our Community, Rural Development Program of Castilla-La Mancha for the 2007-2013 period provides important measures for the development of agriculture, livestock and natural environment of the region, as aid for the food industry and cooperatives or agri-environment. In total, the budget for this program exceeds EUR 1.641 million for that period, of which 56.23% is managed by the Ministry of Agriculture.

Moreover, with the aim of promoting food products with quality certification, a little more than a year, the Law 7 / 2007 of 15 March, Food Quality of Castilla-La Mancha, in defining a brand quality standards for agricultural products and livestock in the region, allowing a clear identification and differentiation of products covered by it in any corner of the planet, both products are already protected by other figures and those who want to benefit from it.

On the other hand, both the contributions of the Common Agricultural Policy and European Funds have helped the modernization of the sector since 1986 and, together with the Rural Development Act, will allow in the coming years the definitive leap to modernization of our countryside, so that in 2013, when Castilla-La Mancha region will be convergence, will face new challenges without those resources currently receives from European funds.

Regional production value added

In the region there are numerous food products whose production is covered by a quality mark recognized by the European Union Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), Protected Geographical Indication (PGI), Traditional Speciality Guaranteed (TSG) and organic food.

Bet of the sector for quality in its production has been in Castilla-La Mancha, we have food and products which fall in the 37 figures of quality success in the region.

In 2001, recognized the Protected Geographical Indication Ajo Morado de Las Pedroñeras which covers the production of garlic from 225 municipalities.

In the same year, the European Union recognized the Protected Geographical Indication Saffron from La Mancha. The production process, unique and original, which consists of roasted dried using low heat instead of dried in the sun, seems to be responsible for the quality of the Castilian-La Mancha saffron is recognized worldwide.

Protected Geographical Indication de Almagro eggplant, which was adopted in 1995, covers the production of a native variety grown since time immemorial in the municipalities of Aldea del Rey, Almagro, Bolaños, Calzada de Calatrava, Calatrava and Granátula Valenzuela Calatrava, in the province of Ciudad Real.

In 1993, the PDO was approved Alcarria honey to cover the settlement area of hives involving different municipalities of the region’s agricultural Alcarria.

Rice production in Castilla-La Mancha is concentrated in the province of Albacete. Much of that production is covered by the Protected Designation of Origin Calasparra Rice shared with Murcia. This denomination was formed in 1986 to cover the production of rice from varieties and Pump Balilla X Sollana latter native.

In May 2003, established the Association for the Advancement of Melon de La Mancha, made up of cooperative enterprises and promoter of the current PGI Melon of La Mancha, which protects the melon variety “Saccharinus” Piñonet native cultivars or Piel de Sapo, characterized by an ellipsoidal or ovoid shape.

The Toledo marzipan in 2002 was recognized as Protected Geographical Indication for marzipan produced by manufacturers located in the province of Toledo and under the control of any of the product certification bodies.

Specialization sheep in Castilla-La Mancha

To try to alleviate the effects on livestock are taking the high prices of raw materials for animal feed, the Administration has implemented various measures, including subsidies are called, for the promotion of production of breeds systems indigenous cattle in extensive systems in Castilla-La Mancha for the year 2008, whose purpose is to obtain quality products and the improvement of livestock.

The sheep, cattle strength of the Castilian-La Mancha, also currently experiencing this situation of some difficulty, to which the protected indication Cordero Manchego, along with eleven other Spanish Protected Geographical Indications of fresh beef and sheep, has launched the campaign “Unique Land Meat Shops” in order to inform consumers of the meaning of the Protected Geographical Indication label and explain the characteristics that differentiate these labeled meat and other recognized home without quality certification label.

Agrologic and climatic conditions of La Mancha, very different from others where there is sheep, make the products obtained from the Race Manchega, and Cordero Manchego cheese Manchego, characteristics and qualities are especially good.

In late 1995, the Ministry of Agriculture recognized the PDO Manchego cheese, with which it covers the production of pressed cheese, made from sheep’s milk Manchego Race, and since 1999 the excellent quality of their meat is low the protection of the Protected Geographical Indication Cordero Manchego.

The IGP Lamb of the Sierras del Segura and La Sagra covers 22 municipalities in the province of Albacete

After more than four years of work for processing, just adopted the Protected Geographical Indication “Lamb of the Sierra del Segura and La Sagra”, covering regions of the Autonomous Communities of Andalusia, Castilla-La Mancha and the region Murcia, particularly the confluence of the provinces of Granada, Jaén, Almería, Murcia and Albacete, whose municipalities included in this area share common characteristics in terms of soil, climate and vegetation as well as in regard to the management of herds, breeding and production techniques of sheep.

In the province of Albacete, protected geographical indication include the Sierra del Segura in its entirety and much of the Sierra de Alcaraz, with a total of 22 municipalities and about 425 livestock farms with an estimated 100,000 head.

This is a race that has a hardiness and adaptation to abrupt ecological environments and inadequate, since the area covered has a characteristic climate of cold winters and low night temperatures, which leads to sweating of the lamb is lower and, consequently, increase the quality of the meat. In addition, these lambs display a relatively early in its growth due to consumption of milk produced by mothers. This protects the quality label fresh lamb marketed Segureña race channel, media channel or for cut parts with or without bone slaughtered within 95 days of life with a live weight of 20-25 kilos. Its high performance thanks to the low slaughter weight of your skin and providing an appropriate degree of fatness at slaughter ages and weights.

The largest vineyard in the world

The Castilian-Manchego vineyards in production figures, is the most important crop in Castilla-La Mancha. Because of its socio-economic importance, it is a strategic sector for our region, which has the largest vineyard in the world, with about 600,000 hectares, representing 50% of the vineyards of Spain and 17% in Europe.

At present there are nine Castilla-La Mancha Appellations of Origin (Almansa, La Mancha, Manchuela, Méntrida, Mondéjar, Ribera del Jucar Uclés, Valdepeñas and Jumilla, which shares surface with the Region of Murcia) and four Vitivinícolas Payments (Dehesa del Carrizal , Domain Valdepusa, Finca Elez and Payment Guijoso) quality mark which protects some very unique wines, born of a close relationship between vineyard and winery, and offer exceptional quality.

There is also mention Wines of Castilla that was created to facilitate identification in the market for wines that meet the demands of a market lot different from opting for designations of origin or table wine.

53% of the vines are attached to some of the existing names. The great challenge now facing the Castilian-La Mancha wines is to introduce this new reality: a production of high quality wines and varietal diversity, with a value for money which makes them very competitive.

Appellations of Origin Four Olive Oil

The area under olive cultivation in our region is around 400,000 hectares, of which over 130,000 are covered by any of the four designations of origin recognized in the Region: “Montes de Toledo”, “The Oil Alcarria” “Campo de Montiel” and “Campo de Calatrava”, the last that has been authorized in the Region and covers 22 073 hectares and over 8,500 olive trees, whose uniqueness lies in being the area of transition between two production areas monovarietales, Toledo with variety ‘cornicabra’ and the variety Jaén ‘picual’, allowing a natural assembly as one of their main hallmarks.

Castilla-La Mancha is the second largest domestic producer of olive oil, after Andalusia, and his production last season was 80,000 tonnes, well above the average of recent years.

Original Spain has consolidated its second edition

Organized by the Provincial de Ciudad Real, has been held this year the second edition of Spain Original, the National Fair of Appellations of Origin and Quality Food Products, which develops a program of activities focused on clearly generation business.

This year, Spain Original has been consolidated with an intense level of business: 66 825 contacts have been produced, representing an increase of 33.66% over the previous edition of 2006 and of which 31 500 were international contacts with importers from 30 countries and 35 325 were national business contacts.

Expovicaman held its XXVIII edition

The Agricultural and Livestock Fair of Castile-La Mancha, Expovicaman, held its XXVIII edition between 22 and 25 May in the Palais de Albacete IFAB fair with a high level of participation.

Expovicaman rests on several pillars that have become the benchmark nationally by the attraction awakening in the wide range covered by the agricultural sector.

On the one hand, exhibitors of interior, with a variety of agriculture-related products, as well as the exhibition of machinery, this year used or used, it has occupied 3,500 square meters and has enjoyed the cooperation of the Dealers Association and Manufacturers of Agricultural Machinery Albacete (ACOFAMA).

The used machine is an opportunity for small farmers and Spanish manchego can not acquire new machinery. Furthermore, in collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Albacete, has organized a trade mission to Poland, where several companies in this country have done business in the context of this show.

As the livestock sector include contests that contribute to the improvement of breeds.

Equine competitions, held at the Horse Show, are qualifiers for the championship of Spain, so they have a high profile media, and contribute to the promotion and prestige of the horse breeding Purebred Spanish.

The competitions for sheep, of great significance in Castilla-La Mancha, place value on our Race Mancha, whose products, by their quality, have transcended the national space.

Important contribution ITAP Expovicaman and the modernization of the agricultural sector

Expovicaman has its origin in the Albacete Fair, which in 2010 celebrated its third centenary and which initially was a point of purchase and sale of livestock and agricultural implements, but over time has evolved into leisure and tourism.

So 28 years ago this was established in Albacete Agricultural and Livestock Fair, recovering a long tradition, to enhance the present and the future of our agriculture and livestock. Over these 28 years, has been reflecting Expovicaman modernization that has occurred in the agricultural sector: improved breeds of livestock, machinery development, technological advances in water use, etc.

One of the Expovicaman enhancers has been the Provincial Agricultural Technical Institute (ITAP), a public company created by the Diputación de Albacete on October 6, 1986, whose basic purpose is the transfer of technology in the field of agriculture and food in the province of Albacete and has strong presence in Expovicaman technical seminars.

Following the success of this year, the Organizing Committee, chaired by Ramon Sotos, has initiated a period of reflection to include news for the next edition with the intention of further improving Expovicaman, the biggest exhibition staged in the agricultural sector in Castilla-La Mancha.