The Valencian Society of Agriculture and Sport (RSVAD) has selected the 7th Illustrious Awards, which recognize the important work of businesses and institutions in support of agriculture and sport. This year, the awards will go to the Rall de Pinedo Fishing Cultural and Sports Association for Sports Merit; the Fallas Intergroup for Assistance Merit; the Official College of Agricultural Engineers of Levante for Institutional Merit; the Viveros Herfesa, Vivercid, and Orvifrusa companies for Business Merit; and the Agricultural and Natural Environment Merit award to the Federation of Agri-Food Cooperatives of the Valencian Community. In addition, joint recognition will be given to the Valencian business community (CEV, AVE, ATA, and Concoval).

The awards will be presented at an institutional event in November, but the decision has already been made by the jury composed of Cristóbal Aguado, president of AVA ASAJA, Regina Monsalve, president of Intereco ( a non-profit association that brings together public authorities for the control of organic farming); Nuria Calero, agricultural engineer and expert in agronomic and environmental projects and works; Paco Alós, director of institutional relations at CAIXA POPULAR; Salvador Zaragoza, doctor in agricultural engineering; José Francisco Ballester-Olmos, university professor; and Manuel Sánchez Luengo, president of RSVAD and the Great Charity Association of Valencia.

The Agricultural Casino has always promoted Valencian agricultural interests through various activities. The Illustrious Awards, however, were established just seven years ago with the aim of highlighting agriculture in its various aspects and recognizing the work of professionals, companies, and institutions working to improve this sector. However, the Valencian Society of Agriculture and Sports also includes sports, hence the Illustrious Award to this figure.

The core objectives of these awards are to recognize the work of professionals, researchers, and entrepreneurs who passionately and dedicatedly dedicate their lives to pursuing development opportunities with responsibility, honesty, and ethics to better serve society, to raise awareness of the importance of agriculture, to deepen relationships between the academic and business worlds, and to serve as a stimulus to promote cooperation, improve competitiveness, and contribute to progress.

The Illustrious Awards have been awarded in five categories (since the 2019 edition), and the winners are chosen by a jury composed of individuals associated with the Royal Valencian Society of Agriculture and Sports who have extensive experience in the agri-food sector and extensive professional careers recognized in various sectors.

The Royal Valencian Society of Agriculture and Sports was founded in 1859 and was joined by the Royal Economic Society of Friends of the Country, as well as representatives from the university world for the advancement of agriculture, industry, and the arts. It continues to this day to carry out numerous cultural activities and maintain social connections with 60 clubs in Spain and 40 abroad. It has individual and corporate members who find a meeting point at its headquarters on C/ Comedias, as well as meeting and conference rooms and various services that are now also part of this agreement.

Report by Will McCarthy

Article copyright ‘24/7 Valencia’

PHOTO: Paco Alós, Ballester-Olmos, Regina Monsalve, Manuel Sánchez Luengo, Nuria Calero, Salvador Zaragoza and Cristóbal Aguado

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