Central Lechera Asturiana and COVAP Launch 'Horizonte Rural' to Drive Dairy Sector Innovation
Central Lechera Asturiana and COVAP Unite for Innovation
On February 12, 2025, Central Lechera Asturiana and COVAP, the Cooperativa Ganadera del Valle de Los Pedroches, announced the launch of 'Horizonte Rural' at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food. The initiative, which garnered significant attention, including remarks from Minister Luis Planas, aims to promote innovation in the dairy sector.
Program Goals and Strategies
'Horizonte Rural' is an open innovation program that seeks to address vital issues in dairy cattle farming and milk production from economic, social, and environmental perspectives. Through collaboration with entrepreneurs, startups, and institutions, Central Lechera Asturiana and COVAP strive to introduce sustainable technological solutions that enhance the operations of dairy farms.
The program will be supported by Social Nest Foundation, which brings over 15 years of experience in fostering entrepreneurial ecosystems. With a focus on productivity, social and environmental sustainability, and resilience, the initiative will prioritize scalable and replicable projects.
Ambitious Challenges and Selection Process
Three major challenges form the core of the program's agenda: advancing technological efficiency through digital tools, promoting environmental sustainability with circular economy models, and ensuring the sector's continuity by attracting younger generations to rural areas.
An application deadline has been set for March 9, 2025, with selected finalists to present their projects during a Demo Day. Winners will receive up to 10,000 euros to develop their pilot projects, which will be evaluated for broader implementation by the end of 2025.
Collaborative Effort and Future Outlook
According to statements from Central Lechera Asturiana and COVAP leadership, this initiative not only benefits participants with funding and technical validation but also allows the cooperatives to tackle critical social and environmental challenges. As highlighted by Minister Planas and company executives, such collaborative efforts are vital for the sector's transformation towards greater sustainability and competitiveness.
