A wide community of agricultural enterprises will attend Agrokomplex '98, the 25th annual international agricultural fair, held from August 13 to 20 in Nitra, Slovakia's agricultural capital. Companies representing all facets of the agricultural industry, from heavy equipment manufacturers to wine, beer and food producers, will attend this year's event.
"About 650 exhibitors representing 1,500 companies from 23 countries will attend this year," said Ivan Tomka, Agrokomplex representative. "One-third of the exhibitors are from abroad." Tomka added that the exhibition will span 148.5 hectares, housing 45,000 sheltered and 150,000 non-sheltered stands.
Tomka said that mainly large companies will show their products at the event. "Exhibitors should have a commercial interest in the fair; it serves as a good place for them to present their companies," said Tomka. "For smaller agricultural enterprises it is mostly service that the Agrokomplex fair offers."
This year's fair will have a festive atmosphere, according to Ivan Hričovský, chairman of the Union of Slovak Gardeners. "We want to make it even more beautiful and special because this year the fair celebrates its quarter-century jubilee," said Hričovský.
The fair opens on Thursday, August 13, kicking off a series of activities and competitions.
On Saturday, August 15 Agrokomplex moves into high gear and celebrates the Harvest Festival; participants are invited to compete in Pivák Agrák, featuring a variety of beer-related competitions along with companies' mascots.
A special guest, Ikebana Club (Union of Gardeners ) from Austria, will join all Slovak competitors in a flower arranging competition organized by the Union of Slovak Gardeners on Saturday.
Sunday, August 16 is awards day. The Zlatý Kosák (Golden Sickle) competition is giving awards in six disciplines: food processing, animal production, industrial design, mechanization, scientific-technological development and the building industry.
August 16 and 17 will feature the presentation of salads made of lesser-known vegetables, organized by the Union of Slovak Gardeners and the Agricultural School of Secondary Education in Rakovnice near Piešťany.
Author: Barbora Holánová
