Until October 31, 2024, applications are open for the 13th edition of the National Agriculture Award (PNA), an annual initiative promoted by BPI and Medialivre (Correio da Manhã and Jornal de Negócios) which aims to recognize the best projects and professionals from the agricultural sector who stand out for their capacity for innovation, sustainability and resilience and who are sponsored by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and the support of PwC. Winners will be announced in February 2025.
The award distinguishes and promotes success stories in agriculture, agroindustry, forestry and livestock farming, focusing on sustainability and innovation, in line with the main challenges of this sector, which is so important in the national economy.
At the launch event, held on September 9th, at BPI All in One in Lisbon, in Saldanha – and which was attended by the Minister responsible, José Manuel Fernandes –, Ana Rosas Oliveira, administrator of BPI, and Ana Dias , administrator of Medialivre, highlighted the PNA's role in promoting the best projects and professionals in the agricultural sector who stand out for their capacity for innovation, sustainability and resilience.
In this 13th edition, the National Agriculture Award will maintain its focus on the fundamental pillars of sustainability and innovation, recognizing the importance of conscious agricultural production, which combines environmental preservation with profitability, and technological innovation, essential to face current challenges, such as climate change and the implementation of more efficient agricultural practices.
In the sustainability category, companies that stand out for their ESG (environmental, social and governance) policies will be valued, namely through the valorization of environmental heritage, workers and the surrounding society, including the promotion of the local and national economy. In the case of the innovation category, companies from any sector of activity that develop disruptive and innovative solutions (processes, products and new projects) for agriculture, agroindustry, forestry and livestock farming will be recognized.
Prizes will also be awarded in the special “Institutional” category (by nomination), with the aim of recognizing relevant entities or projects that promote research, knowledge and involvement of the National Scientific and Technological System, in the search for the best solutions for the sector. The PNA will also recognize a personality for their career and relevant contribution to the sectors of agriculture, agroindustry, forestry and livestock farming.
In 12 years, the award received more than 11 thousand applications and awarded around 160 prizes and honorable mentions.
Applications must be made by October 31st, exclusively online, on the National Agriculture Prize website (www.premioagricultura.pt). They will be evaluated by PwC, technical committees and a jury. Winners will be announced in February 2025.
Ana Rosas Oliveira hopes in this edition “to receive applications for projects with impact, which allow the sharing of good practices, but, above all, which are inspiring and help to lead national agriculture to surpass itself once again”.
BPI supports companies in the Agriculture sector
Agriculture is one of the priority sectors chosen by BPI. In addition to the dedicated offer and specialized teams, the bank promotes several initiatives to train companies, such as the Sustainability Accelerator, supports companies in the sector in accessing available public support, through free access to the BPI Public Support Portal, and organizes events that promote dialogue between all stakeholders, enhancing the sharing of knowledge and good practices, as is the case with the “The Future of Water” Forum.
The bank annually organizes the National Agriculture Award and is also a sponsor of the main agricultural fairs held in Portugal, namely the National Agriculture Fair (FNA), Agroglobal and Ovibeja, thus reinforcing its proximity to professionals in the sector.
Over the last 10 years, BPI has granted more than 550 million euros in financing for agriculture, totaling around 10,700 operations, which have benefited nearly 2,000 customers.
It is also a leader in the placement of the IFAP Short-Term Line, with a share of 68.32% [1] of the total amount of eligible credit. The line is intended to finance the costs of agricultural campaigns – land preparation, sowing, watering, harvesting, animal feeding, among others – and benefits from a 20% interest subsidy, granted by IFAP, and deadlines appropriate to the agricultural, forestry and livestock culture/production cycle.
BPI also leads in the total amount of exploration support advances granted by IFAP and validated by CAP, with a share of 63% in 2023 [2].
[1] Source: IFAP, contracts received and registered from 01/01/2024 to 15/07/2024.
[2] Source: Confederation of Farmers of Portugal.
