Half a century . The Almeria greenhouse turns fifty booming figures and expectations. So , tonight the Auditorio Maestro Padilla will turn its stage in a parade gateway, with individuals and entities that deserve the thanks of all Almeria as they are protagonists of the origin and consolidation of Almeria intensive agriculture.
The group La Voz de Almería wanted to share with the broadest representation of Almeria society the recognition to those individuals and entities who staged the beginnings of the ” greenhouse age ” , in order to make clear the gratitude and admiration they deserve. From nine in the evening, the lights will point to the origin of the greenhouse to the protagonists of this adventure against time, to become the stars of a gala.
Surely, when the first greenhouse was built, nobody knew that this would trigger permanent consequences in the history of Almerías economy. But now, five decades later , no one can deny what it represents to the provincial economy and to the prosperity of tens of thousands of families.
The tandem formed by Barnabas Aguilar and Francisco Fuentes is no longer possible to reunite on stage , unfortunately , but their names will ring tonight, because they were the ones who built the first greenhouse in Almeria. In 1963 , Francisco , affectionately called Paco “el Piloto” , following the instructions of Barnabas, covered with plastic an area full of sand coming from the Reform and Development Institute had in Roquetas de Mar.
Barnabas Aguilar, the agronomist who had come to Almeria in 1956 was involved in this first experience, leading to the greenhouse ” Almería type ” now known worldwide . José Nache is another character in this story . His name links with the vine , the sanding, and definitely with the crops under plastic . In the Tarambana area , belonging to Dalías at that time, and today part of El Ejido, José bet eveything to this new type of agriculture , being one of the pioneers of El Ejido. He will receive the award at the gala , along with Gabriel Barranco, a watchmaker of Matagorda and Los Baños of Guardias Viejas , responsible for irrigation scheduling . The figure of the settlers is also essential in this tribute . Antonio López and María Mercedes Soto were one of the first families who found a new future in newly created towns, such as: Campohermoso .
Antonio Estévez , promoter and architect of outdoor marketing is the representative of this essential area for Almeria agriculture .
Among the awards , will also have an outstanding part tonight Cajamar Caja Rural , born in the same context in which the first greenhouse was built, and also became a key part in these fifty years , not only for its financial activity , but also by their decisive contribution in research and training .
The University of Almería , which has trained agricultural technicians and opened new lines of food research is also subject to this recognition. Finally, the gala honors the territory and society , represented in municipalities with higher agricultural influences such as El Ejido, Roquetas , La Mojonera , Vicar, Adra , Almería Nijar , Dalías and Berja .
