The Regional Director for Agriculture stated on Terceira Island that the Regional Government is available to help coffee producers to study and assess the introduction of new plant varieties with the aim of fostering the development of a new crop in the Region.
"Our soil and climate conditions and our volcanic soils are decisive factors for the production of unique coffee in the Azores, which we believe it has potential to grow," said José Élio Ventura. He spoke on the sidelines of a meeting with the Board of the Association of Azorean Coffee Producers, which was also attended by the Regional Director for Rural Development, Valter Braga, Brazilian experts and managers of the company Delta Cafés.
The Regional Director for Agriculture pointed out that coffee production in the Azores is covered by the aid to horticultural production granted under POSEI and producers may also apply for investment projects under PRORURAL+.
José Élio Ventura also pointed out that, due to the protocol signed between the Association of Azorean Coffee Producers and Delta Cafés, provides for the conduction of studies on coffee production on islands such as Terceira, São Miguel and São Jorge in order to evaluate its potentialities and limitations.
"The agreement between both entities clearly demonstrates the interest and potential of coffee production in the future in terms of economic development and as an alternative agricultural production in the archipelago," defended the Regional Director.
In the case of Terceira Island, José Élio Ventura pointed out the production of 7,500 coffee plants stretching over an area of four hectares.