"Not only weighs the uncertainty, but also the lack of financial support that further cuts if possible investments"

Madrid businessman Julio Gil Castro, agricultural engineer linked throughout his life to the sector of agricultural machinery as a manufacturer of equipment for tillage and seeders, took the reins of the National Association of agricultural machinery, forestry and green spaces (Ansemat) the month of September, 2010.  Now, that marks a year of his appointment, Interempresas has wanted to take stock of this first exercise at Ansemat and also look at the market of agricultural machinery after a first half of 2011 with Julio Gil dominated, unlike other European markets for fairly discrete numbers.

Julio Gil Castro, President of Ansemat.

After a bad year, the first data of machinery markets were positive, although it must be acknowledged that figures of market in 2010, it was easy for any data to be positive.

The difficulties in the markets have not disappeared, as it has also changed national economic reality with little positive growth prospects. In regards to the domestic agricultural sector despite good data, by rising prices of certain products, such as cereals, have not been change the downward trend due to the pressure borne by the producers with high prices of inputs increase production costs and make it to reflect further on investments in agricultural machinery.

In these moments, not only weighs too much uncertainty, but also the lack of financial support that further cuts if those investments. For the moment, farmers are still waiting for better times with their vehicles and agricultural machinery increasingly aging.

A priori, difficult, as the first, but being realistic, and with a situation like the present must begin to look a little further on, by 2012, to take a proper perspective of the changes that we all must undertake to improve the sector.

All those involved in the agricultural sector and rural, the sector of mechanization, have adapted is gradually to the reality that we are living, trying to flee from the pessimism and adapting our trade and sectoral policies for growth, but we need more profound and global changes so that this situation will change. The reality of the financing may change, the reduction of production costs can be achieved, but change the negative sentiment of the spirit of farmers is more difficult. Solutions must start work in common all believe in the implementation of tools and technological improvements and specialization in the work.

A good part of the improvements will be based in the pursuit of excellence and the development of tools for differentiation of farmers.

As for the machinery sector we should congratulate ourselves because even with a very tight budget, the Ministry continues to support measures of encouragement and support to the renewal of equipment through the Renove Plan of the National Park of agricultural machinery and subsidies for the introduction of new technologies in farm equipment and machinery.

The reality of the agricultural sector, German or French is not affordable to the national. In our case the economic crisis has burdened the results of a sector that is bound to the closure of farms or to throw his productions to not reach the minimum threshold of profitability in excess.

An outlet and a fundamental way for the development of domestic manufacturers. The current export levels have grown pushed by the need to seek new markets, but also by the strong foreign demand for our products due to its excellent value for money, its reliability, durability and adapting to the demands of users.

Yes, it continues to support the lines of aid for the renewal of equipment and the promotion of new technologies in farm equipment and machinery. This year with a tight budget, EUR 4 million, but that, at least, it has not been reduced compared to the previous year.

The latest edition of FIMA now meant all an impact due to the influx of public and the investment of the marks to show their products which perhaps was not a direct reflection on change tendency of markets.

FIMA 2012 maybe if you can assume that turning point, taking into account the need for renewal and investment in new equipment that has the farmer after the halt in the market of machinery. Innovations to be presented will allow the technology application and research and development of brands, savings in fuel consumption and rational application of seeds, fertilizers and plant protection products, at the time that favors the work of the user using intelligent management systems. This will result in the profitability of production.

A strong, sufficiently funded PAC to support producers and taking into account the specificity of the territories to distribute this endowment in an equitable manner is necessary.

Perhaps submitted changes promote differentiation between farmers professionals with large farms and the specificity of small farms could not adapt to all countries. It must be borne in mind that we are 27 countries with very different agricultural realities.

Despite the fundamental component of innovation and technology support in the sector of mechanization, bringing improvements in performance and energy savings, improvements in sustainability, environmental and productive, despite the fact that, today, productive agriculture can not be understood without the use of machinery, however, not been taken into account in this sector in the formulation of this policy.

So far, it has been a very positive experience with a work load greater than expected due to the great activity that maintains the Association.

I would like to highlight the great reception that I have given members and therefore the great responsibility that is not to disappoint them during my mandate. There is also the great help of the Board of Directors and above all the staff of the Association, that make you everything very simple.

It is too early to make balance, since we have many fronts, and depends on our work that are closed in a positive way. I would highlight the preparation of a very important event to be held in the month of September, the green spaces Demoverde fair organized jointly by Ansemat and fair of Zaragoza. I would also highlight the agreement signed by our partnership with Agragex for collaboration between the two.