Maintenance of agricultural road network is permanent goal for the Government, says João Ponte
The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry stated that improving agricultural and forest accessibility is a "permanent goal" for the Regional Government. However, he stressed that "it cannot be expected that the maintenance of the entire network of roads serving farms and forest areas is a responsibility that falls solely on the Government."
There is a series of access roads to farms whose maintenance falls under the responsibility of municipalities since they are not part of the rural and forest road network of the Regional Directorate for Forest Resources, nor are they included in the Agrarian Planning Perimeter. Moreover, there are also access paths built by private landowners who have failed to ensure their maintenance over the years.
Even though road maintenance responsibilities are often assigned to municipalities, the Regional Government collaborates, through its different departments and whenever possible, with local authorities as it acknowledges that "accessibility is essential for the development of the sector and the Region as well," said João Ponte.
"This does not mean that, because the Government collaborates in the maintenance of these roads, they will become its responsibility," said the Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry.
João Ponte stated that this situation often occurs on the roads located within the Agrarian Planning Perimeters (POA), which currently stretch over 326 kilometres.
The Institute of Agrarian Planning - IROA is solely responsible for building roads considered structuring that have already been laid out in the POA studies and plans. Nonetheless, this entity eventually takes up the responsibility for their maintenance.
This happens because "the Regional Government, with the means available, is always available to collaborate and create synergies with local authorities, thus contributing positively to the improvement of farmers' working conditions,” said João Ponte.
As regards rural and forest roads, the government official stated that the Regional Directorate for Forest Resources is responsible for a network that stretches over 1,419 kilometres, half of which are paved. the investments made over the last five years have benefited about 12,700 farms.
The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry also ensured that the Regional Government will continue to invest in agricultural infrastructures on all islands to create equal opportunities, improve farmers' working conditions and contribute to reducing production costs.