The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry stated in Povoação that "response capacity" of Celeiro da Terra Cooperative to markets, given its current facilities, “requires a path directed to the investment in a new processing plant."
 
Hence, João Ponte challenged the cooperative to "make use of Community funds available in the Region, through PRORURAL+ programme, which are geared for this kind of projects."
 
The Regional Secretary spoke Wednesday at the end of a visit to the cooperative facilities and a meeting with the board. He pointed out that this is "an important investment for the development of communities such as Povoação and the promotion of social inclusion."
 
"One should highlight that these projects find funding sources and, if these sources are the result of the sale of products, this is important to their sustainability. Hence, the Azorean Government will always embrace this project," added the government official.
 
João Ponte considered that the work developed by this Cooperative "is quite relevant from a local development perspective."
 
In the last seven years, the number employees increased from 14 to 36, the number of suppliers rose from 32 to 133 and the number of clients grew from 42 to 391. Currently, the cooperative has an annual turnover of 450 thousand Euros.
 
The Celeiro da Terra Cooperative is a Private Social Solidarity Institution whose main activities are the production and marketing of biscuits, jams, liqueurs, local handicrafts and tourism.
 
Food products are prepared using local raw materials, fruits harvested in the fields and gardens of the municipality of Population; they are handmade.
 
The acceptance of their products by the market is also demonstrated by the awards it has won. Recently, the Milk Liqueur was distinguished with the Silver Medal in the Milk Liqueurs category at the 6th National Convent and Traditional Portuguese Liqueurs.
 
In 2016, the Tangerine Liqueur was also distinguished in the same competition with the Gold Medal in the citrus fruits category.
 
For João Ponte, the cooperative "has registered a remarkable growth as their products have registered a positive acceptance in the market and it focuses on a very important aspect, which is the processing of local products. Hence, this project contributes to the income of producers and to the economy of the municipality of Povoação."