2020 Plan contributes to continued progress in agriculture and to improvement of farmers' income
The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry stated that the 2020 Plan will contribute to the continued progress of agriculture in the Azores by focusing on the modernisation of infrastructures, improvement of farmers' working conditions and reduction of production costs, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of farms and improving producers' income.
"It is a Plan that responds to the challenges of the sector and reinforces the budget allocation in important areas for a better performance of farms, with direct impact on producers' income," said João Ponte, who spoke Wednesday on the sidelines of a hearing at the Commission on Economic Affairs of the Legislative Assembly.
The government official highlighted the 16% growth in the overall allocation for the areas of health, animal welfare, genetic enhancement, training and investment support.
“These areas make up 20% of the investment under the 2020 Plan, which has an overall allocation over 56 million Euros,” said João Ponte. On the occasion, he justified the reduction of six million Euros compared to the 2019 Plan with the fact that some appropriations under the current Plan will not be granted next year, such as the exceptional support for drought losses, investments in the regional slaughter network or the settlement of the Region' obligations to industries, representing an investment of eight millions Euros.
Annulling the effect of this figure, it is possible to assess differently the allocation of this Plan, which will be invested in favour of the development of Azorean agriculture.
On the other hand, the Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry stressed that the 2020 Plan maintains the investment effort in agricultural infrastructures, with an allocation of nine million Euros, of which one third will be directed to increasing water supply to farms.
“This is a future-oriented plan that inspires confidence in the sector through a series of new measures that will be implemented,” João Ponte said, pointing out the Young Farmer programme, I9AGRI, PROAGRI, the Legal scheme on the Cessation of Agricultural Activity and the Strategic Plan for Azorean Dairy Products.
For João Ponte, these are “fundamental tools” for an even stronger and more sustainable agriculture that values production, generates more wealth and is even more attractive to young people.
“With the implementation of this Plan, I am certain that the agricultural sector will be better able to meet the challenges of the future,” João Ponte said, adding that “this Plan is primarily intended to continue developing the sector and improving farmers' income."