The Economic and Social Forum of La Laguna has awarded the Pedro Molina Ramos Prize 2026 to Pilar Santana Hernández and Arsenio Pérez Díaz for their contributions to the primary sector. The award was presented on Sunday at the Casa del Ganadero during the FAGATE celebration.
The Economic and Social Forum (FES) of La Laguna recognised this weekend two prominent figures from the agricultural sector of La Laguna. Pilar Santana Hernández and Arsenio Pérez Díaz received the Pedro Molina Ramos Prize 2026 in honour of a lifetime dedicated to agriculture and livestock. The event took place on Sunday at the Casa del Ganadero, as part of the latest edition of FAGATE, the agricultural and livestock fair of Tenerife.
A unanimous award from the Economic and Social Forum
The mayor of La Laguna and president of the FES, Luis Yeray Gutiérrez, highlighted that the award was approved unanimously. He emphasised that the recognition extends to the families of the awardees, at a time “especially delicate” for the primary sector due to the lack of generational change. “These tasks have a lot of history and roots in our territory,” he stated.
The technical director of the FES, Jordi Bercedo, valued the legacy of Santana and Pérez. He explained that behind them lies a long line of fathers, mothers, and successive generations who have kept La Laguna's agriculture and livestock alive through hard work and sacrifice. “They are two illustrious figures who represent the commitment and effort of the field,” he noted.
Change in the award's roster
Pilar Santana and Arsenio Pérez take over from Wladimiro Rodríguez Brito, who was awarded in 2025. Rodríguez Brito was noted for his advances in agroecology and crop varieties on the islands. The award is named after Pedro Molina Ramos, a key figure in Tenerife's livestock sector, who was president of the La Candelaria Agricultural Cooperative, the Tenerife Farmers' Association (AGATE), and the Tenerife Farmers and Livestock Cooperative, among other entities. He was also the first vice president of the FES of La Laguna.
A tribute to the primary sector of La Laguna
The award ceremony coincided with the celebration of FAGATE 2026, a key event for the sector on the island. The Casa del Ganadero in La Laguna was the setting for a ceremony that aimed to highlight the work of those who cultivate the land and raise livestock in the municipality. For the residents of La Laguna, this recognition serves as a reminder of the importance of a sector that, despite difficulties, remains an essential part of local identity.
The FES of La Laguna, through these awards, seeks to make visible the efforts of professionals in the field and foster interest in an area that needs new generations. The lack of generational change is one of the major challenges pointed out by both the mayor and the forum's leaders.
The next edition of FAGATE, already in 2027, will again be the framework for the presentation of the Pedro Molina Ramos Prize. Who knows if then we will see new names joining this list of honourees. For now, Pilar Santana and Arsenio Pérez have already secured their place in the history of La Laguna's agricultural sector.
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