The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry stated in Vila do Porto that the Regional Government will support this year the agricultural producers' organisations with the allocation of over five million Euros.
 
"The work of proximity and cooperation between the Regional Government and producers' organisation is crucial to the development and success of the agricultural sector," said João Ponte, who spoke on Sunday at the celebrations of the 30th anniversary of Santa Maria Agricultural Association.
 
On the occasion, the government stressed that what farmers expect "at a particularly challenging time" is a "joint effort" so that "the challenges and difficulties that will always exist" can be overcome.
 
In his speech, João Ponte welcomed the growth registered in the agricultural sector in recent years, being the result of the dedication and commitment of farmers and of the different services provided by producers' organisations.
 
For the Regional Secretary, technical support, training, incentive to production, organisation and access to markets contribute to "increasing the competitiveness of the sector" and are essential to the consolidation and success of agriculture in the Azores.
 
"These are the powers, often assigned by the Government to producers' organisation, which justify the allocation the granting of public subsidies to them," stressed the government official.
 
The Regional Secretary also stressed the importance of the premium for suckler cow and measures for livestock extensification on the island of Santa Maria, which focuses its agricultural activity on meat production with excellent genetics. Therefore, he defended the need to join efforts in "defending the maintenance of these measures and the increase in the allocation of the financial envelope in the context of the post-2020 CAP negotiation."
 
João Ponte also congratulated the Santa Maria Agricultural Association for the opening of "Loja Mariense" (office), reiterating the Regional Government's availability to support projects aimed at the effective development of the agricultural sector and the improvement of farmers' income.