In a constantly changing climate, where innovation, digitisation, and sustainability shape Galicia's economic and production strategy, what is the state of the Galician agri-food sector?

The sector is aware of the need to modernise through digitization and process improvement. An innovation that also has repercussions with regard to the challenge of offering products with greater added value. At Grupo Lence we know that the key to the future for the sector is this development in the value chain and that is why we promote this through different initiatives such as Smart4Milk and Milkchain, because it is clear to us that the survival of the industry contributes to sustainability and the settlement of the population in rural areas.

Grupo Lence, Leche Río, which is 100% Galician-owned, is among the top ten dairy companies in Spain, how do you manage to be among the leading companies at a national level?

Grupo Lence thrives on the Galician countryside, and we act every day in line with our values to demonstrate the commitment we have from the beginning of the value chain. I believe that this is what has led us to rank among the top ten dairy companies in Spain.

We work every day with courage and persistence to achieve our goals, with initiative to make things happen, and as partners, because together we can go further, and we always strive for excellence.

These values keep us committed to remaining focused on our purpose of nurturing the desire to improve of our consumers, employees, and partners through quality, environmentally friendly products that contribute to keeping our countryside alive. A desire to improve is in our DNA. We are a Galician family business and we want to remain so. 

Galicia is the leader in milk production at a national level, and is home to 55% of the farms. It is a sector of particular importance in rural areas, how do you see the future of the dairy sector?

Galicia, together with Ireland, has the possibility of becoming the great power in milk production in Europe. We Galicians have everything we need to get there. We have to overcome challenges such as increasing the territorial base, or the consistent adaptation to all environmental requirements, but above all we have to believe that we can do it. We have to convince the next generations of livestock farmers that there is a future in rural areas. 

We also need to raise awareness. Society needs to be aware of what it takes to produce a litre of milk, making the sector more visible and valuing this essential product. 

Another challenge facing the dairy sector, which is no less important, is to achieve population stability in rural areas and at Grupo Lence we are aware that the future lies in looking at the sector from a gender equality perspective. In the case of Galicia, only 35% of Galician farms are owned by women, and statistics show that two out of every three people who leave the countryside are women. In order to contribute to the empowerment of women livestock farmers, we have launched the “Ganaderas con Actitud Río” programme to try to do our bit to turn this situation around. 

The Galician agri-food sector is working on its application for European as part of the Strategic Project for Economic Recovery and Transformation. What should this application focus on? 

I think we should focus on innovation and the professionalised management of farms. The dairy sector is very competitive so it is vital to have good information, which helps people to make good decisions in a short period of time and this is only possible thanks to digitisation. 

I also believe that we need to look at rural areas through women's eyes, which is why we should also promote projects that provide opportunities for women in the primary sector.

What opportunities for innovation does the dairy sector offer? 

The competitiveness of the sector is what requires innovation. We believe that it is necessary to modernise farms and the sector through digitisation and process improvement. That's why, at Grupo Lence, we support our farmers with projects like #MilkChain, in which we participate as a driving force, with the aim of offering complete transparency for the consumer about the origin of our dairy products, as well as guaranteeing the quality and sustainability of the value chain. We have also launched the Smart4Milk project to provide farms with a tool for cost management. 

Lastly, we cannot forget to offer products with greater added value, products that set us apart. Products that stand out for being healthy, offering improved nutritional value.

Would you recommend investing in the Galician dairy sector?

Bearing in mind that Galicia is the leading milk-producing region in Spain and one of the top ten in Europe, the answer is yes, of course. Furthermore, investing in the Galician dairy sector means maintaining activity in the rural areas of our community and helping to keep it alive. 

To conclude, you have been chosen as one of the 100 most influential women leaders in Spain. What are your keys to leading the Grupo Lence?

The concept #actitudRío defines these keys. “Actitud Río” is leading by example, not taking yourself too seriously, keeping your ego at bay, knowing how to listen, knowing how to ask for help, accepting failures, and learning from them.