Cheese Fair pays tribute to CATIE's General Director

• The recognition takes place within the framework of the institution's 50th anniversary as a popular gratitude for the support of this type of activities.

July 17, 2023. Muhammad Ibrahim, General Director of CATIE (Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center), received a special tribute during the 2023 Cheese Fair by being given the honor of cutting Costa Rica's largest cheese.

During the activities on Sunday, July 16, the fair's organizing committee decided to recognize the General Director in this way for his outstanding role at the helm of the institution during the celebration of CATIE's 50th anniversary.

Mauricio Solano, president of the association, stated that since the fair moved to CATIE's facilities, it has become more successful in terms of sales and national recognition each year. "We wanted to pay this tribute so that he remembers us and carries us in his heart, knowing that next year he will no longer be with us as the director. However, this gesture is filled with affection for the support he has given us when we needed it," said Solano.

For his part, Muhammad Ibrahim welcomed the public and congratulated the organization for having a safe and organized fair, where he has witnessed total respect for the value chain involved in cheese production. "All of you who have come from different parts of Costa Rica should know that in Santa Cruz and throughout Turrialba, the members of this association have fought tirelessly to improve their products, make them of higher quality, and unique," stated the General Director.

The Expo Fair is organized by ASOPROFOLAC (Association for the Promotion of the Dairy Industry of Santa Cruz), who took advantage of the tribute to thank CATIE and its General Director for providing the facilities and support to hold the fair on campus, as has been done for several years.

It was the largest cheese in the country, weighing 270 kilograms, which has become one of the most important attractions at the Cheese Fair. This year marks 21 years since the inception of this event, which brings together the main cheese producers from the Turrialba area.

In the activity, Victor Carvajal, Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, was also present, accompanying the director during the cutting of the giant cheese. The official highlighted that the government has been working on the issue of regency, which represents one of the main production costs for small business owners.

"We have a draft regulation in public consultation that eliminates regulation for cheese and cured meat plants to promote the industry and help small producers succeed," Carvajal concluded.

The Turrialba Cheese Fair has been held since 2002, originally starting in the Santa Cruz area and benefiting over 550 producers in the Canton of Turrialba.

The renowned Turrialba Cheese is recognized throughout the country for its exceptional flavor, attributed to the quality of the milk used and the traditional production process that has been passed down through generations for over 100 years.