The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and the Environment stressed today the investment of young Azorean farmers in this sector, pointing out that they have already submitted thirty projects this year alone, which represent an investment over one million Euros under PRORURAL+.

Speaking on the sidelines of a visit to a dairy farm owned by a young farmer in the village of Guadalupe, Luís Neto Viveiros stressed that the "dynamics" of the sector should "be encouraged" and that the modernisation of farms boosts their competitiveness.

In this regard, the government official stressed the approval of about 150 projects throughout the Region this year, a global investment of nearly 15 million Euros for "the modernisation of farms."

Under the new Rural Development Programme, the Premium for the First Installation of Young Farmers in the Region has increased from 35 thousand Euros to a maximum amount of 50 thousand Euros.

The co-financing rates for investments in Azorean farms are set at between 50% and 75%, while the rate for Mainland Portugal is between 30% and 50%.

The farm that the Regional Secretary visited in the context of the Government's statutory visit to Graciosa comprises a feeding park, a water cistern, milking parlour, a milk tank and cleaning systems. According to him, the investment made in the modernisation of this farm "is an example of what should be done in the Region," bearing in mind two goals.

"On the one hand, the reduction of operating costs," through the modernisation or adoption of "better management techniques," and, on the other hand, the differentiation of Azorean products in the agricultural sector," said the government official.

Hence, we will be able "to assert these values, from the meadow to the market, which are unique in the Azores," namely grass-based beef production and open-air grazing all year round.

According to the Regional Secretary, these features have a "high value" in the markets and, therefore, should be explored.