The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forests stated on Pico that the ongoing investments in the Azores and, in particular, on this island in terms of agricultural roads and water supply network are essential to improve the working conditions of farmers, shorten distances and reduce costs associated with the industry.

João Ponte emphasised the importance that the infrastructures created or under construction in the archipelago have for the improvement of farmers' income, ensuring that the Regional Government will continue to pay great attention to this matter.

"All the investments in progress, especially those on Pico but also on other islands of the archipelago, clearly demonstrate of the efforts that the Regional Government is undertaking in improving agricultural infrastructures," emphasised João Ponte. He spoke after visiting the ongoing works in Lagoa do Paúl and in Rosada Rural Road in the village of Ribeiras, municipality of Lajes do Pico, under the Government's statutory visit to this island.

The Rosada Rural Road, located in the most important dairy basin in Arrifes and one of the most important on the island of Pico, will benefit more than 170 hectares of pasture, totalling more than 50 farmers.

In addition to the works on Rosada and Landroal rural roads, João Ponte revealed that the intervention to improve the Matos de São João rural road will begin shortly; the respective contract works is awaiting the approval of the Court of Auditors.
With regard to the reinforcement of water supply to farms, the Regional Secretary considered that, in the particular case of Pico Island, this matter has a "priority matter."

"The work we are carrying out in Lagoa do Paúl demonstrates this importance," João Ponte said, adding that the intervention, with a budget of 173 thousand Euros, should be completed within six months.

This project provides for the cleaning and waterproofing of the lake as well as the construction of a water supply station for farmers, which will benefit an area of 300 hectares and 40 farms.

João Ponte also assured that the next budget will continue to strengthen water supply to farms. In the case of Pico, the programmed interventions cover Cabeço Pequeno borehole and the construction of two reservoirs in the village of Prainha.