Azores have great potential for organic farming, says Regional Director for Rural Development
The Regional Director for Rural Development stated today that the Azores have great growth potential in organic production mode, thus contributing to the promotion of products, competitiveness and profitability of farms, and to environmental preservation.
"Organic farming is the path our farmers have begun to follow on milk, meat and agricultural diversification, but we can still go further. The Region has exceptional conditions to continue developing organic production," stressed Valter Braga.
The Regional Director spoke in Ponta Delgada at the end of a meeting with a group of French students enrolled in the Agriculture, Rural Development and Sustainable Production course, who are visiting the Region in the context of a field trip to the Azores.
Valter Braga pointed out that agriculture in the Azores has been undergoing a remarkable process of transformation, qualification and modernisation, considering that the sector will have a sustainable and rejuvenated future.
"The investment in organic production is an international trend and the Azores are not unrelated to it, being an effective way to improve their income," said the government official. In this regard, he highlighted the existence of producers on the islands of Terceira and São Miguel who have already opted for organic milk production and, consequently, they are better paid.
The Regional Director also pointed out that the Strategic Plan for Organic Farming will be implemented this year. It will enable the expansion of production areas and increase the supply of agricultural and food products, with environmental and health benefits, being also an opportunity to conduct several strategic studies in areas such as horticulture or fruit growing.
"Producing with more quality, investing in differentiating products that generate more added value, and conquering new markets are permanent goals when we talk about agriculture in the Azores," Valter Braga said, adding that these challenges can be overcome by farmers in the entire archipelago.
Regarding the French students' field trip to the Azores, Valter Braga was pleased to receive them in the Region, stressing that the Azores have a lot to show in agricultural matters, not only in terms of development and modernisation but also in terms of entrepreneurial projects implemented by young farmers.