The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry stated that "the current situation of the Azorean agriculture sector in terms of modernisation, development and value generation is the result of the strategy followed by the Azores Government in the past."
 
However, João Ponte stressed that "the strategy has to be in line with our expectations, the challenges we will face in the future and the goals set out in the Government's Programme, which are embodied in the Regional Budget.
 
These policies are based on a strategy for the enhancement of the sector, namely the search for new markets and the investment in the improvement of road, water supply and electricity infrastructures. The Government invested 60 million Euros in the last 10 years, providing the tools to support the modernisation of producers and the industry.
 
"This what Regional Government should do in the agricultural sector," said the Regional Secretary for Agriculture, who spoke Thursday in Ponta Delgada during the debate on the theme "Agriculture in the Azores: Present and Future Prospects."
 
In this debate, organised by the College of Agronomy - Azores Office of the Portuguese Engineers' Association, João Ponte stressed that the Azores doubled milk production, from 307 million litres in 1992 to 610 million litres in 2015. He also added that one third of national milk produced in the country and 50% of the national cheeses are produced in the Azores.
 
Moreover, he pointed out that the average productivity per farm increased from 184,000 litres to 240,000 litres, representing a growth of 30%.
 
Moreover, the industry has modernised with the investment of 120 million Euros over the last 20 years, which represents a very significant investment in efficiency and processing capacity of differentiated products of higher value.
 
With regard to the major challenges for this sector, including the abolition of milk quotas, the Russian embargo and the decline in consumption in some export markets, João Ponte defended the need for a European response since they arise from European decisions.
 
However, there is a rising trend in domestic and European markets and, in this context, the Regional Secretary stressed that "it is expected that this trends will continue and reach the Azores."
 
In the meat sector, the investment already made and undergoing in the regional slaughter network, amounting to 15 million Euros in four slaughterhouses, and the aid mechanisms under POSEI have boosted this sector to new levels of competitiveness.
 
In 2016, there were 71,000 animals slaughtered, 55% of which for export. This figure represents an exponential increase, compared with only 8,000 animals slaughtered in 2006.
 
In agricultural diversification, horticulture production, horticulture and floriculture have also registered a considerable progress, with the increase in the number of producers, from 191 in 2007 to 720 in 2015.
 
In addition, the cultivated area increased from 411 hectares to 1,061 in the same period of time.
 
The vineyard production area increased from just over 100 hectares in 2004 to nearly 500 hectares planned for 2020. Likewise, wine production also registered a significant increase, growing from more than half a million litres in 2012 to one million litres in 2015.
 
"The Government of the Azores is available to strategically assess the future of the Region and define lines of action for its development in the archipelago in conjunction with organisations of the agricultural sector and all economic activity sectors in the Region," said the Regional Secretary.
 
For João Ponte, "even with the challenges we know, agriculture remains the backbone of the Azorean economic system." He added that "traditional agricultural productions and, milk production in particular, are essential to the sustainable development of the territory, the creation of jobs and the well-being of the people."
 
Farmers are becoming increasingly professional, but the activity is more demanding and, for that reason, we have invested 90 million Euros in the modernisation of farms over the last 10 years.
 
The rejuvenation of the sector is a major challenge. The Azores have the largest population of young farmers in the country. Between 2007 and 2016, the Region registered 258 first installations, an overall investment of 9.6 million Euros.
 
The Region has greatly invested in training to ensure agricultural development, always in the perspective of sustainable future.
 
Rural development programmes of the Azores have allowed farmers to access Community funds that are not only fundamental to the modernisation of farms, but also to the settlement of populations in rural areas and the promotion of all areas within the sector.
 
Under the previous framework (2000-2013), the Government invested 575 million Euros, while the current framework (2014-2020) provides an allocation of 340 million Euros, with an execution rate already reaching 25%.
 
João Ponte stressed that "production and industry have challenges to face, especially in terms of markets, but all investments made in recent years in regional production and processing are a sign of confidence; a sign that the sector will have a future."
 
 "The Regional Government aims to consolidate and promote value chains by strengthening competitiveness and the export potential of the strategic milk sector for the benefit of all players. It will also continue to promote agricultural diversification, based on appropriate strategic planning for each of the islands in close cooperation with organisations and producers," assured João Ponte.