The state of Portuguesa, in the heart of the Venezuelan plains, is fine-tuning Preparations for the second edition of the Sunflower FairThis event has earned its place on the agricultural and agritourism calendar. For several days in January, the fields covered in yellow become the perfect setting to combine production, tourism, and technical training.
This new edition aims to consolidate a fair model that goes far beyond a stroll through the cropsThe initiative aims to showcase the productive capacity of the Santa RosalÃa-Turén axis, bring urban audiences closer to agricultural work, and at the same time, offer farmers a space for professional meetings and updates on key issues for the sector.
Dates, location and organization of the 2nd Sunflower Fair
The appointment is set for the Friday 9, Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 January 2026In the municipality of Santa RosalÃa in Portuguesa state, one of the areas with the highest concentration of sunflower crops, along with the neighboring municipality of Turén. At this time of year, visitors find the plantations in full bloom, which greatly enhances the visual appeal of the surroundings.
The organization is in charge of the Venezuelan Family Agricultural Civil Association (Afaven)In partnership with the Borgoricco restaurant, known for its culinary offerings that blend Venezuelan and Italian roots, this combination of a network of local farmers and hospitality businesses has allowed for the design of a fair format that integrates production, entertainment, and gastronomy.
According to its promoters, this second edition was created with the idea of ​​far surpassing the debut of the previous year, maintaining the essence of the event but improving services, visitor services and infrastructureWork has been done to renovate the spaces and reinforce the logistics to handle the expected influx of visitors.
A growing event: attendance and business participation
The 2nd Sunflower Fair is seen as a decisive step in the process of consolidating this event. In its first edition, 14 stands were set up. of companies and projects linked to the agricultural sector and rural tourism. By 2026, the organizers estimate that the number will exceed 20 participating companies, including commercial exhibitors, institutions, and sponsors.
Regarding the audience, Estimates point to more than 10.000 visitors over the course of the three days. The combination of photogenic landscapesThe gastronomic offerings and activities for the whole family have become a magnet for both residents of the region and people from other states of the country.
This evolution reflects the growing interest in sunflowers as a profitable crop This is important for the farmers of Portuguesa, but also because of the potential of agritourism as an economic complement. The organizers emphasize that the fair is beginning to be seen as a showcase where the countryside is presented not only as a productive space, but also as a tourist destination with its own identity.
The increase in participating companies and the commitment to expanding the program of activities They reaffirm the strategic nature of the fairIt is not only a social event, but a meeting point where business, training and promotion of the territory come together.
Sunflower Route and experiences for visitors
One of the event's biggest draws is the so-called Sunflower RouteA guided tour through the plantations in full bloom. Attendees can walk among the rows, learn about crop management firsthand, listen to explanations from expert guides, and, of course, take photographs in a landscape that has become the visual emblem of the fair.
The route is designed both for those who come out of pure curiosity and for those visitors who have a more technical interest. The guides detail aspects such as growth phases, irrigation needs, soil management, and productive potential. of sunflowers in the region, offering a simple but comprehensive introduction to cultivation.
In addition to contact with the countryside, The fair includes an area specially designed for families.with attractions and activities for children. The idea is that the youngest visitors can also experience the rural environment in a safe and adapted setting, while the adults visit the stands or attend the technical talks.
This holistic experience approach helps ensure that the visit is not limited to a quick stroll through the sunflowers. The organization aims to keep the public at the venue for several hours.Combining leisure, gastronomy and learning, which has a positive impact on the local economy.
Venezuelan and Italian gastronomy as a distinctive hallmark
One of the distinguishing features of the Sunflower Fair is the importance given to gastronomy. Thanks to the Borgoricco restaurant, The culinary proposal fuses Venezuelan and Italian flavors, using local products and typical dishes deeply rooted in the Llanera culture.
Among the options mentioned as essential, the following stand out: cachapa with cheese and porkThe skewered meat and its various accompaniments, along with other dishes that revive traditional recipes, are featured. In addition, there are Italian-inspired dishes, creating a varied menu that allows visitors to go beyond a simple fairground snack.
The food area is designed as a social meeting point within the event, where farmers, tourists and exhibitors can exchange impressions in a relaxed atmosphereThis gastronomic dimension not only helps to energize the fair, but also reinforces the identity of the territory, highlighting local raw materials and culinary know-how.
Thus, the visitor experience integrates the sunflower landscape, the tasting of local products, and the presence of Italian-influenced cuisine, which This helps to differentiate this fair from other agricultural events in the region. and positions it as a unique event on the calendar.
Technical training and key topics for the producer
Beyond the tourism component, the 2nd Sunflower Fair is designed as a space for updates for producers, technicians and sponsorsOver the three days, a series of presentations and specialized talks will take place, addressing issues considered crucial to the sustainability of the agricultural sector.
The planned topics include History of sunflower cultivation in VenezuelaA review of the evolution of the crop in the country and the role that Portuguesa has played in that process. It will also delve into the corn and sunflower production costs, with comparisons that help the farmer evaluate the profitability of each alternative in their specific reality.
Another thematic block revolves around the regenerative agricultureThis approach focuses on practices that improve soil health and reduce dependence on external inputs. These types of proposals are generating increasing interest among producers seeking more sustainable options in the medium and long term.
The presentations also address economic and market aspects, such as adaptation to the exchange rate differential and the specific characteristics of domestic seed production compared to imported seed. This is complemented by an analysis of the difference between corn produced in the country and corn imported for animal feed and human consumption.
The agenda is completed by topics related to access to financing, with special attention to alternatives to obtaining resources outside of traditional banking geared towards both agricultural activity and the associated industry. Overall, this technical program seeks to offer practical tools for decision-making in a complex economic context.
Agritourism and regional development in the Santa RosalÃa-Turén axis
The organizers of the Sunflower Fair agree that the agritourism potential of Santa RosalÃa and Turén It should become one of the driving forces of development in the area. The vast sunflower fields, visible from the road and increasingly featured on social media, serve as a powerful calling card to attract visitors.
The fair, in this context, acts as territory promotion platformBy concentrating recreational activities, gastronomic offerings and technical meetings into a few days, the event generates a flow of people that positively impacts local commerce, accommodation and other services linked to tourism.
From the perspective of the productive sector, the meeting reinforces the image of Portuguesa as a leading state in agricultureThis demonstrates not only planting volume, but also organizational capacity, innovation, and openness to new business models. The sunflower becomes both a symbol and a lever for diversifying the rural economy.
This type of initiative also helps to highlight the daily work of farmers, bringing the urban population closer to the reality of the countryside and fostering greater social recognition of the sector. The immersive experience among the crops and the direct contact with those who work them help to narrow that gap.
With each edition, the Sunflower Fair establishes a dynamic in which rural identity, landscape and technical knowledge They combine to project the image of a territory that looks to the future without renouncing its roots.
The celebration of the 2nd Sunflower Fair in Portuguesa appears as a inflection point in the way it showcases the Venezuelan countryside: an event that blends training, tourism, and gastronomy, that aims to bring together thousands of people and dozens of companies, and that utilizes the spectacular sunflower bloom as a common thread to boost both the agricultural economy and the agritourism projection of the region.
