The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry stated Horta that it is essential to increase the value of dairy products and allow the industry to find new markets to boost farmers' income, stating that a strategic plan is being prepared to reinforce this strategy.
 
"In the Azores, we have excellent dairy products and now it is important to intensify its promotion and appreciation in various markets. We are already working on a strategic plan for this purpose," João Ponte, noting that the archipelago registers an annual production of 600 million litres of milk.
 
The Secretary for Agriculture considered essential to reinforce the presence of regional dairy products in more distribution channels and increase awareness by promoting digital media and direct actions with consumers and strategic partners to consolidate the national market and international growth.
 
"Despite the difficulties arising from the international situation in the last two years, there are currently positive signs in the dairy markets, which lead us to believe that there are the necessary conditions for an increase in the price of milk paid to regional producers," João Ponte said, noting that the price of milk is increasingly influenced by international markets.
 
João Ponte also pointed out that one of the challenges the agriculture faces, along with modernisation, is the rejuvenation of the sector, something that has occurred in the Azores.
 
"I do not think any young person would risk employing their future and investing in an industry that did not offer guarantees of success," said the government official.
 
As for Community support programmes such as POSEI and PRORURAL +, whose funds have been used to modernise the sector, João Ponte revealed that a consultation process will begin this month, involving the Azores Agricultural Federation, to reflect on the future.
 
In his speech, the government official stated that, in the specific case of PRORURAL +, the Government implemented measures to reduce evaluation periods of investment projects, with positive results for farmers. According to him, "six months ago there were 500 applications and today we have little over 100."
 
"We assume there are difficulties in the sector and challenges to overcome, but we also see a lot of strength, dynamics and motivation to continue to focus on agriculture," said João Ponte.
 
The Regional Secretary also revealed that a guiding document on the Region's proposals for the future of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) after 2020 is being finalised and will be submitted to the Regional Council of Agriculture to receive input from different partners of the sector.
 
According to him, the Regional Government does not care about being criticised because it values much more the availability and willingness to dialogue, build bridges, find the best solutions for the challenges of agriculture and boost farmers' income.