The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry stated in Capelas the "growing importance" that women have been assuming in the regional agricultural sector.
 
"The data shows that this has ceased to be an almost exclusively male sector as women are taking an increasingly important role, not only as farm owners but also as models of innovation, dynamism and ability to reconcile work with family life," said João Ponte.
 
The latest known data from the Farm Structure Survey point out that, among the 11,825 farms registered in the Region, 10,464 belonged to men and 1,361 to women.
 
On the date that marks the International Women's Day, the Regional Secretary visited the farm owned by Marília Câmara, a 45-year old farmer who has had the farm registered to her name since 2004. She works in the farm with her husband; both take care of their two children.
 
The farm has fifty animals, including 33 suckling cows, in an area of about 18 hectares that includes a milking parlour and a small barn.
 
In addition to dealing with all the financial and bureaucratic matters related to the farm, Marília Câmara also helps in the operations.
 
Her proactivity has led her to the creation of investment projects. For ten years, she has been a member of the governing bodies of AJAM - São Miguel Young Farmers' Association.
 
"This is an entrepreneurial example in the Azorean agriculture," stressed João Ponte. He highlighted this example among the "many other women in this industry who significantly contribute to the development of this area, which is the actual economic engine of the Region."