The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Environment stated in Angra do Heroísmo that the Rural Development Programme is a "crucial tool" for agriculture, stressing that the PRORURAL + reflects the priorities set by the Regional Government for the use of about 350 million of public funds available by 2020.

According to Luis Neto Viveiros, "will be allocated on the basis of projects that are emerging in the various areas", in particular for the development of agriculture, modernization of farms, first installation, training or agribusiness.

Luís Neto Viveiros spoke to journalists on the sidelines of the opening of the 1st session of the Monitoring Committee of PRORURAL+, stressing that the "LEADER approach "is also a very significant component of this program, which will allow the presentation and implementation of investments non-agricultural in rural areas." With a budget of 22 million Euros, this measure will contribute to the creation of jobs and improve the quality of life.

The support measures for the Modernisation of Farms, Processing and Marketing, Agricultural and Forest Roads, Water and Electricity Supply will have an estimated budget of 127 million Euros. In turn, the Government will allocate 70 million Euros for payments concerning areas facing natural or other specific constraints and 62 million Euros for the Agri-environment Climate Measure.

Moreover, the investment in the development of forest areas and the improvement of the viability of forests will have a budget of 17 million Euros.

The agenda of the 1st Monitoring Committee of PRORURAL+, taking place on Terceira, includes the approval of the selection criteria of the measures and sub-measures of the new Rural Development Programme.

Created for each Rural Development Programme after approval by the European Commission, these monitoring committees are in charge of certifying the effectiveness of the implementation of these programmes in the Region, being consulted on the selection criteria regarding the operations eligible for funding.

This body also evaluates the implementation results to verify their compliance with the stipulated goals for each axis.

The meeting is being attended by the Regional Director for Rural Development, Fátima Amorim, as Management Authority, as well as by several departments of the Regional Government and representatives of other bodies: European Commission, Agricultural Federation, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Azores, Aflorestaçores, departments of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Sea, IFAP, and general inspections of Finance and Agriculture.
 
Furthermore, these events will include the participation of Local Actions Groups, the University of the Azores, Minha Terra Federation, UMAR - Association for Equality and Women's Rights, Regional Wine Commission of the Azores, Amigos dos Açores Ecological Association, Azorica - Environmental Defence Association and the Managing Authority of PO2020.