Investment in agricultural infrastructures boosted development of the sector on São Miguel Island, says João Ponte
The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry stated today that the investment that has been made on the island of São Miguel in agricultural infrastructures has boosted the development and modernisation of agriculture and animal husbandry.
“All public and private investment that has been made on the island of São Miguel in roads, water supply and electrification of farms has been fundamental to improve farmers' working conditions and to contribute to a more competitive and efficient agricultural sector in the Azores,” said João Ponte.
The Regional Secretary spoke on the sidelines of a visit to the upgrading works of Peixotos agricultural road in Ribeira Grande, an investment of 300 thousand Euros, which was also attended by the president of São Miguel Agricultural Association, Jorge Rita, and the president of the Administration Board of IROA, S.A., Ricardo Silva.
For João Ponte, these are relevant woks for the agricultural sector that fall within the regional strategy intended to modernise and enhance the sector, while ensuring its sustainability.
In terms of accessibility, he highlighted as example the ongoing investment in Arrebentões rural road, amounting to 560 thousand Euros. In addition to benefiting farmers, it is fundamental for the environment as far as it will prevent the deposition of solid material on Sete Cidades Lake, which is dragged to this water body in situations of heavy rainfall.
As for water supply, João Ponte highlighted, among the various investments in progress on São Miguel Island, the construction of a water supply system in Ribeira de Água d'Alto stream, amounting to 1.3 million Euros, which will supply 375 thousand litres of water per day to more than 250 farmers.
"This investment is a good example of the practical measures developed by the Regional Government to mitigate the effects of climate change as the water to be collected is currently flowing to the sea without being used," said the government official.
The Regional Secretary also stressed that the diagnostic study on water needs will be completed by the end of the year to ensure the quantity and quality of supply to agriculture on São Miguel Island. This will enable us to plan the investments to be implemented over the decade to meet the remaining water storage needs, but also to mitigate possible effects of climate change on agriculture.
João Ponte also announced that IROA will shortly launch a public tender for the electrification of 12 farms on São Miguel Island, representing an investment of about 200 thousand Euros.
Regarding the Peixotos agricultural road under the responsibility of IROA, which stretches over three kilometres, the government official mentioned that it will improve the access to 30 farms in an area of 300 hectares located within the Agrarian Planning Perimeter (POA) of São Miguel's Central Zone.
“All this demonstrates that the Regional Government is committed and working to improve agricultural infrastructures on São Miguel Island, an effort that will be maintained in 2020,” assured João Ponte. According to him, “investing in roads, water supply and electrification contributes to the reduction of production costs and improves the profitability of farms.”