The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry announced today that the overall budget allocation to the aid for horticultural, fruit and floriculture production in the Azores has a 10% increase in the final proposal of POSEI 2018, already submitted to the European Commission.
 
"The Government of the Azores took into account the claims of associations," said João Ponte, who spoke at the end of a visit to a cantaloupe farm on Santa Maria under the statutory visit to this island.
 
The Secretary for Agriculture pointed out, for example, the case of aid to horticultural production, whose aid was set at 1,000 Euros per hectare in the initial proposal. Now, it amounts to 1,150 Euros per hectare in the final proposal, i.e., an increase of 15%.
 
Despite recognising that there is a reduction regarding the unit value per hectare in this aid compared to the amount set under POSEI 2017, João Ponte reiterated that this situation is due to the need to have more producers and more production in the area of agricultural diversification. This is essential in terms of reducing imports and increasing exports.
 
The Regional Secretary also stressed that, from 2018, producers will no longer have the obligation to maintain crops or their traces on the ground until December 31. The deadline will be anticipated to July 31 in order to allow the growth of a second crop.
 
On the other hand, there will be an exemption of apportionment for products grown using organic farming techniques as well as for those bearing the Protected Geographical Identification (PGI) and Protected Geographical Denomination (PDO) seals.
 
João Ponte also pointed out the impact that the recent approval of the maintenance of applications for livestock extensification by the European Commission will have on islands, such as Santa Maria.
 
"We are talking about an annual global sum of 160 thousand Euros that represents 800 thousand Euros over a period of five years," João Ponte said, adding that this compensation for those produce use extensive farming methods is "extremely important."
 
The governor also met with the boards of Santa Maria Agricultural Association and AGROMARIENSECOOP - Livestock Producers of Santa Maria Island, which has about 120 members.
 
In 2015 and 2016, this cooperative sold about 50 tonnes of cantaloupe; there is an expected increase in production for this year.
 
The Santa Maria cantaloupe, classified as PGI since 2015, has an average weight between 800 and 1,000 grams. It is produced outdoors and is usually available in the market between July and September.