The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry stated in Horta that the Investment Plan for 2017 in these areas, amounting to 170 million, represents a budget increase "that represents the Government's commitment to maintain an active investment policy in this sector.”
 
"This is the best proposal in the appropriations for Agriculture and Forestry concerning the last five years", said João Ponte, who spoke at the Legislative Assembly.
 
In his speech, he pointed out that the Government's goal for all intervention areas comprised by this Plan "is to increase the efficiency of regional production and stimulate the growth of exports in the agri-food and agro-forestry sectors."
 
João Ponte recalled that, in recent months, he had contacts with almost all organisations linked to the sector, meeting "with committed and confident farmers and determined winemakers." He also visited modern farms, small and large plants, slaughterhouses, laboratories and services.
 
"I saw, I heard, I got closer and I tried to better understand farmers in order to make good decisions. This is what I have been doing in a committed manner over the past four months and this is what I will continue to do in the future," said the government.
 
In this process, the Regional Secretary noted that "we have an industry that is prepared, conscious and aware of the enormous challenges of the near future."
 
As for the qualification of agricultural and forestry activities, the Plan will ensure the Region's appropriations for payments and investments under PRORURAL +, either in maintaining of agricultural activities and agri-environmental measures or in the LEADER approach and forestry rural development measures.
 
"One of our priorities will focus on the support to investment in farms. By investing about 4.5 million Euros of the Regional Budget, we will leverage an investment of 25 million Euros that will a strong impact on the regional economy," stressed João Ponte.
 
As for the Financial Restructuring of Farms and the Replacement of their Production Potential actions, we will focus on the payment of applications under SAFIAGRI III. They represent nearly one million Euros to subsidise interest rates regarding an investment of 140 million Euros to support farmers.
 
The measures concerning the restructuring of the sector and the strengthening of its organisations, through early retirement, and the support to land parcelling and producers' organisations will have a budget of nearly 10 million Euros.
 
In regard to the added value of agricultural and forestry production, the Plan will provide Azorean agriculture and agro-industry with a sum over 35 million Euros by supporting the investment in industry under PRORURAL +, the marketing of agri-food products, the regulation of agricultural markets and their quality and certification.
 
The regional slaughter network, which has shown a substantial and significant improvement as a result of investments in slaughterhouses, has allowed us to significantly increase the export of carcasses.
 
In 2016, the Azores registered a growth of about 22%.
 
"These results justify the huge investment that the Government is making in the modernisation of the regional slaughter network with a budget of 14 million Euros," said João Ponte.
 
The Government remains committed to providing the Azores with the best structures for the implementation of monitoring, health and production certification plans in compliance with international standards to improve animal welfare and food safety.
 
In this context, the areas of Animal Health and Food Safety and Genetic Enhancement and Animal Well-being received an allocation of 4.1 million Euros.
 
The Plan for 2017 also intends to strengthen the diversification and development of rural areas, with a budget of 6.6 million Euros, thus allowing the introduction of 38.4 million Euros in the Region, through PRORURAL +.
 
The area of agricultural diversification in the archipelago registered a great progress in recent years as evidenced by the increased in the number of producers and the growth of cultivated land area by 50%, currently reaching 1,600 hectares.
 
According to João Ponte, the Azores "have carried out a remarkable work in improving the quality of life of vineyards and production methods."
 
The new VITIS programme in Azores, whose application period is running, has an allocation over 3.5 million Euros. This is another opportunity for entrepreneurs and winemakers to invest in this area, which has registered a significant growth and projected the good name of the Azores abroad.
 
The area of agricultural Vocational Training, Testing and Advising and Dissemination has a budget of three million Euros.
 
The Vocational Training Plan includes a total of 130 actions involving more than two thousand students, which corresponds to a total investment of around 240 thousand Euros.
 
In regard to agricultural and forestry infrastructures, the Government will carry out the improvement works of the Multipurpose Hall at Faial Exhibition Hall, the drafting of Graciosa Exhibition and Fair Centre, the remodelling actions in animal health, hygiene and well-being infrastructures and the investment in the equipment of the new Regional Veterinary Laboratory.
 
The contract work for the construction of Terceira Island Multisectoral Park is currently under way and is expected to be completed this year.
 
"Our sense of dissatisfaction and desire to do more will surely improve the sector through a collective effort of multiple responsibilities," stressed João Ponte.