Unicaja reinforces its commitment to the agri-food sector in Extremadura through a new collaboration with Cooperativas Agro-alimentarias. This alliance aims to promote the development of various activities that contribute to the modernisation, competitiveness and sustainability of the cooperative fabric, which is key to the region's economy.
Specifically, Unicaja and Cooperativas Agro-alimentarias Extremadura have once again sealed their collaboration through an agreement signed on Thursday at Agroexpo, one of the leading trade fairs for the agro-industrial sector, which is being held in Don Benito (Badajoz) from yesterday, 28 January, until Saturday, 31 January.
The agreement was signed by the regional manager of Unicaja in Extremadura, Marga Serna, and the president of Cooperativas Agro-alimentarias Extremadura, Ángel Pacheco, and was also attended by the head of SMEs and Agriculture at Unicaja, Francisco Vilches. The document sets out the commitment to collaborate in the development of actions that will enable work to continue on revitalising the sector.
These activities include the publication of an annual report on the activities of Extremadura's agri-food cooperatives, as well as several training sessions on topics of interest to the sector. The aim of both institutions is to continue working to provide knowledge and innovative tools to a sector in constant evolution.
The regional manager of Extremadura at Unicaja highlighted "the firm support for Coperativas Agro-alimentarias, a key organisation for the economic, social and territorial development of the region". "Its work in representing, advising and supporting cooperatives is essential for strengthening a modern, competitive agri-food sector that is committed to sustainability and employment," she said.
In this regard, Serna stated that "at Unicaja we share these values and maintain a long-standing commitment to the Extremadura agricultural sector, working hand in hand with institutions such as Cooperativas Agro-alimentarias", through which "we want to promote innovation, professionalisation and growth in the sector, an essential pillar of Extremadura's productive fabric". "Extremadura's farmers and livestock breeders play a key role and, therefore, constitute a priority group for the bank," he added.
For his part, the president of Cooperativas Agro-alimentarias Extremadura stressed that "this agreement reinforces a strategic relationship that has maintained a firm commitment to Extremadura's agri-food cooperatives for years, a business model that stabilises the population, generates employment and adds value to the region." In this regard, he stressed that having the backing of a financial institution such as Unicaja "is key to addressing the current challenges facing the sector, from modernisation and digitalisation to sustainability and improving the profitability of our cooperatives".
Pacheco also pointed out that "this collaboration is essential to provide cooperative farmers and livestock breeders with useful tools that enable them to become more competitive in an increasingly demanding context." "At Cooperativas Agro-alimentarias Extremadura, we will continue to promote training, advisory and knowledge transfer initiatives that help our cooperatives to grow in size, professionalism and ability to adapt to the market," he concluded.
Commitment to Extremadura
Unicaja remains firmly committed to Extremadura and the agri-food sector as a driver of economic and social development. To this end, it offers its support through initiatives that promote the activity of cooperatives and professionals and provides them with financial, protection and advisory services. Similarly, it has agreements with professional organisations and specialised trade fairs, such as Agroexpo, which is currently taking place in Don Benito (Badajoz).
The financial institution thus supports a strategic sector for the Extremadura region, contributing to its competitiveness, job creation and the retention of the population in the territory.
Unicaja's wide range of financing options for the agricultural sector includes loans for agricultural investments, for improving the sustainability of their businesses or for financing new crops, with the aim of supporting their projects to continue growing and increasing their competitiveness.
Cooperativas Agro-alimentarias Extremadura is the federation that brings together the region's agricultural and livestock cooperatives, together with its agri-food industry, to boost their business competitiveness. It comprises more than 180 cooperatives with around 37,000 cooperative members and generates more than 3,000 direct jobs, most of them in rural areas.
The aim of Cooperativas Agro-alimentarias Extremadura is to offer its member cooperatives services that promote their development and competitiveness and increase their business size.
