The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry met today with the Director of the Association of Municipalities of São Miguel Island (AMISM) and conveyed his "desire to continue the collaboration" between municipalities and the Regional Government in common areas of interest.
 
According to João Ponte, this collaboration involves water supply and access to farms.
 
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, the Regional Secretary said "the partnership on water supply has to do with a problem in terms of infrastructures. According to him, "there are areas where IROA cannot reach and municipalities have networks, hence it makes perfect sense to establish cooperation so that more farmers may have access to water supply. This is essential for agricultural activities as well as for the improvement of farmers' income and the competitiveness of farms."
 
The collaboration with municipalities also covers agriculture waste, namely from slaughterhouses. In this regard, João Ponte mentioned that "the energy recovery programme of S. Miguel Island provides for the recovery of such waste and solves the problem concerning the supply of hot water to the local slaughterhouse, which is important."
 
As for the rat problem affecting the island of S. Miguel, the Regional Secretary stressed that "we need to intensify" the collaboration that has existed in pest control, which not only affects rural areas but also urban areas.
 
In this regard, he mentioned the "importance of building bridges with municipalities in order to ensure an efficient pest control."