Information: João Ponte reiterates importance of defending Azorean agriculture with the European Union
The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry defended in Ponta Delgada the need to "proceed with all necessary steps" with European authorities "to defend the specificities of Azorean agriculture and a fair compensation for regional milk producers, who have penalised by Community decision and unfavourable market situations." João Ponte highlighted the importance of "coordinating the Go... more >>

Information: Amendment to PROAMAF to increase amount of subsidised investment in the electrification of farms
The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry announced today an amendment to PROAMAF, a programme designed to support the modernisation of the agricultural and forestry sector in order to "increase the amount of subsidised investment in the electrification of farms." According to João Ponte, the current amount of three thousand Euros will increase to 15 thousand Euros, which will allow... more >>

Information: Export of Azorean meat increased 25%, announces João Ponte
The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry announced on Terceira Island that this yer registered a positive growth of about 25% in the export of carcasses slaughtered in the Azores, compared to last year. More than 29 thousand animal carcasses were exported in 2015, while this year 37 thousand carcasses were shipped to external markets. In the case of Terceira island, the increase in the... more >>

Information: João Ponte says the increase in the price of milk paid to producers meets the Government's expectations
The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry welcome the decision of the industry installed on São Miguel to increase the price of milk paid to producers by a cent per litre from next January. João Ponte spoke on the sidelines of a visit to a farm on Terceira Island, expressing his hope that "this growth is likely to be followed by other industries in the Region." The Regional Sec... more >>

Information: Ongoing investments revitalise agricultural sector on Graciosa, says João Ponte
The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry stated in Santa Cruz that the "vitality of organisations" and the "ongoing investments" on the island are contributing to the "revitalisation of the agricultural sector on Graciosa." João Ponte highlighted the Government's investment in the new Slaughterhouse on this island. With a budget over five million Euros, the work is expected to be c... more >>

Information: Regional Government to strengthen economic component of the forestry sector, says João Ponte
The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry stressed the importance of strengthening the economic component of the forestry sector, through the "promotion of active and professional forest management in the public and private sectors" aimed at the exploration of forest products, increased competitiveness, development of rural areas, recreation and ecotourism. João Ponte spoke in Norde... more >>

Information: Wine production area on Pico to quadruple in coming years, says João Ponte
The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry met today with the sector's organisations on the island of Pico. According to his estimates, the wine production area on this island "will quadruple," but stressed that the challenges in winegrowing "are huge." "We have done an excellent job in recent years regarding the improvement of wine quality and production processes. Furthermore, we had th... more >>

Information: João Ponte praises work of São Jorge Cheese Confraternity
The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry met today in Velas with São Jorge cheese Confraternity at a meeting where he praised the work of this institution "in the defence, promotion and dignity of São Jorge Cheese." The São Jorge Cheese Confraternity is a non-profit public utility scientific and cultural association established in 1955 to become the certifying identity re... more >>

Information: João Ponte highlights importance of agricultural diversification in the Azores
The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry highlighted in Angra do Heroísmo the work carried out by FRUTER - Association of Fruit, Vegetable and Flower Growers of Terceira and Frutercoop Cooperative in the promotion of agricultural diversification, thus improving farmers’ income and stimulating local economy. João Ponte stressed that FRUTER is "a good example of the work ... more >>

Information: Regional Government committed to solution for marketing of São Jorge cheese, says João Ponte
The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry stated in Velas that the Government of the Azores "is committed and available" to find "new markets" for S. Jorge Cheese. João Ponte stressed that the increase in production registered on this island is "the result of the stability of the sector" and the rise in the prices of milk paid to producers. "A few years ago the situation was differ... more >>