News

• The CAP Network conference “Profitability in the agricultural sector: success stories and tools for a sustainable future” was organized within the framework of the Expo-Sagris fair

• The event brought together professionals from the agricultural and livestock sector and experts at Ifema to discuss how to guarantee the profitability of the agricultural sector without compromising natural resources.

The present and future of agriculture hinges on two inseparable concepts: profitability and sustainability. With this idea as its starting point, the CAP Network organized the conference “Profitability in the Agricultural Sector: Success Stories and Tools for a Sustainable Future ,” held on November 7th at IFEMA Madrid, within the framework of Expo Sagris , the “Agriculture and Livestock Show.” This event brought together professionals from the agricultural and livestock sectors, experts, and institutional representatives to demonstrate that profitable production and the preservation of rural areas are indeed possible.

Program

The day was divided into three blocks that combined the institutional perspective, practical tools, and real-world experiences from the sector itself. The opening remarks were delivered by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food ( MAPA ), whose presentations reaffirmed the institution's commitment to agriculture that combines productivity and sustainability, and the role of the CAP Network as a catalyst for best practices and a generator of support and networking opportunities in the rural and agricultural sector.

The second section focused on the various practical tools available to public administrations and farm owners to measure and increase agricultural profitability. The presentations addressed how technology and data help improve competitiveness, specifically through the TECO Networks (technical-economic information systems sponsored by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA) on agricultural sectors with the main objective of making comparisons) and the National Agricultural Accounting Network ( RECAN ) (an instrument that allows for the evaluation of farm income and the impact of agricultural policy on farms), as well as the ECREA studies , a series of reports that allows users to consult data on land area, production, income, costs, and technical-economic results of the farms in the sample, by crop and/or livestock activity.

All these tools provide key data for more efficient decision-making on the farms themselves.

Round table on agriculture and livestock: success stories

The third block was moderated by Ana Digón, co-founder of the Regenerative Agriculture Association , and brought together three key players in the sector for a round table discussion:

• Beatriz Pablos Blázquez – Pablos Livestock Farm (Trujillo, Cáceres). First woman to head the family farm in 120 years. Her model is based on the herbivore-pasture-soil relationship to regenerate ecosystems.

• Carlos Santolaria – Farmer and livestock breeder (Alerre, Huesca). A pioneer in no-till farming since 2008, he combines crop rotation and managed grazing with a flock of 3,000 sheep.

• Clara Benito Pacheco – Entrelobas/Pasto Salvaje (Serrada de la Fuente, Madrid). She manages 160 native goats with GPS tracking in a project that won the award for Best Organic Farmer in the EU 2023, combining sustainable livestock farming, fire prevention, and ecosystem restoration.

A clear message for the future

The day ended with an inspiring message: the countryside not only produces food, it also generates solutions, community and hope for the future.

Profitability and sustainability are not opposing paths, but rather allies in guaranteeing the future of rural areas. The CAP Network will continue working to ensure the flow of knowledge and the proliferation of best practices, supporting those committed to a vibrant and competitive countryside.