Two-Day Event to Showcase Urban Farming

Salt and Girona will host the II Congrés d'Horta de Catalunya on 20 and 21 October 2026, an event organised by the Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food (DARPA) to strengthen the horticultural sector and promote locally grown food. The congress forms part of the rollout of the Catalan Horticulture Master Plan, aiming to address challenges such as climate change and generational renewal in farming.

Day One in Salt

The first day, on Tuesday 20 October, begins at 09:30 at the Coma Cros Cultural Factory in Salt. The opening includes an institutional welcome by Salt’s mayor, Cristina Alarcón, and Rosa Cubel, DARPA’s secretary. Technical sessions will feature experts Neus Ferrete and Roberto García discussing the current state of horticulture and technological advancements. Roundtables will include representatives from IRTA, iHub Vega Innova and the Empordà Agroecological Park. In the afternoon, from 15:30, discussions turn to the social role of urban gardens and marketing, with participation from Espigoladors Foundation, Mercabarna and Tarpuna SCCL. The day concludes with a presentation on the Milan Pact, a global initiative promoting sustainable food systems in cities.

Day Two in Girona

On Wednesday 21 October, the event moves to Fira de Girona for a full day focused on innovation and research. The session ends at 13:30 with closing remarks and conclusions delivered by Rosa Altisent and Sergi Cot, councillor for the environment. Judit Dalmau, councillor for natural environment and climate action in Salt, said hosting the congress offers "an opportunity to give visibility to our urban gardens and advocate for the value of local farming".

Registration and Participation

The congress has limited capacity and requires advance registration at a cost of €35. The first edition took place in 2023 in Barcelona and Constantí, aligned with the European 'From Farm to Fork' strategy. Mercabarna, a key player in promoting organic produce distribution, has previously hosted similar sector events, including the 'Econetworking' sessions organised by DARPA, which brought together 85 organic food businesses across Catalonia. According to DARPA data cited by Mercabarna, organic production in Catalonia has increased by 70% over the past five years.

Reported by mercabarna.es, mercathorta.com, Gerió Digital.