The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry revealed on São Miguel that the area dedicated to agricultural diversification in the Azores grew 100 hectares per year between 2010 and 2016, which reflects the investment in this area and a reduction in imports.
 
"In the last six years, the area of agricultural diversification, including fruit, horticulture and flower production, grew 100 hectares per year," said João Ponte, who spoke on the sidelines of the visit to Profrutos Cooperative in the municipality of Ponta Delgada.
 
The government official stressed that the commitment of farmers to agricultural diversification has allowed to reduce imports and increased the supply of the local market. However, he stressed that there is still "room to grow."
 
João Ponte mentioned that, under the previous Community framework (2007-2013), 13% of the first installations were in agricultural diversification, adding that the figure is higher than 30% in the current framework. This has become a reality on all islands, namely on the island of São Miguel.
 
The Regional Secretary pointed out Profrutos as a "good example" of what should be done by investing in ready-prepared products, adjusting the seasonality of production to the market needs and, thus, contributing to the improvement of producers' income .
 
"Pineapple is an ambassador of the Region and, naturally, the entry into operations of low cost flights has greatly contributed to this increase in consumption," said João Ponte.
 
Profrutos includes 207 associates, 173 of whom are producers of Azores Pineapple. It is also investing in ready-prepared products, such as juices.
 
"The current board is completing one year of its current term and the investment in ready-prepared products is a good example of what is being done in the Region," said João Ponte.
 
The cooperative has about 19 hectares of production certified as organic and in conversion mode.