João Ponte says reinforcement of water supply is fundamental for development of agricultural sector
The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry highlighted on Graciosa the public investment that has been made by the Regional Government to reinforce water supply to farms. According to him, this is extremely important to improve the working conditions of farmers, reduce production costs and improve the competitiveness of farms.
"Water supply is fundamental to farms, so as to ensure their profitability, better working conditions for farmers, reduce production costs and increase profitability," said João Ponte. He spoke at the opening of the Fonte do Pontal water supply system and Jorge Nunes Agricultural Road, an overall investment of nearly 600 thousand Euros.
At the ceremony chaired by the President of the Government of the Azores, Vasco Cordeiro, the Regional Secretary for Agriculture stressed that this is a "good example" of public investment. It reinforces the future sustainability of the sector on Graciosa and creates equal opportunities among all Azorean farmers, regardless of the island where they live.
The Secretary for Agriculture said that the Government will invest three million Euros this year to reinforce water supply to farms through IROA. The latter is also preparing a series of actions for future investments in water supply on islands such as Graciosa that are being developed in partnership with the University of the Azores, Agricultural Associations and Municipal Councils to guarantee quality water supply to farms on a regular basis.
In addition to the water supply, the government official stressed that other strategic investments are being made on Graciosa in the agricultural sector, pointing out, as example, the works of the new slaughterhouse or agricultural roads.
"At a time when there is great pressure on milk prices paid to producers, the reduction of costs on the part of farmers will boost the income of their farms," said João Ponte. Despite the many challenges the sector faces, there is a growing number of young people entering the agricultural sector.
With regard to the PRORURAL+ applications, João Ponte revealed that more than 80 young people want to enter the sector and more than 250 applications concern modernisation projects in the area of milk, meat and agricultural diversification, which demonstrates the attractiveness of the agricultural sector.
"On the part of the Government, we will continue to work to ensure the best possible conditions so that we may have a strong agriculture cable of generating wealth, increasing exports and, ultimately, leveraging the Region's development," said João Ponte.