The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry stated in Santa Cruz that the "vitality of organisations" and the "ongoing investments" on the island are contributing to the "revitalisation of the agricultural sector on Graciosa."
 
João Ponte highlighted the Government's investment in the new Slaughterhouse on this island. With a budget over five million Euros, the work is expected to be completed by March 2018.
 
During his visit to Graciosa, the Regional Secretary visited the current facilities and the site where the new slaughterhouse is being built. It is expected to quadruple its capacity for cutting processing and preparation of carcasses.
 
For João Ponte, this "represents a huge potential for the growth of the meat sector on Graciosa and will be a key tool in promoting the export of meat from this island and its penetration into new markets."
 
The contract work for the construction and improvement of Jorge Nunes agricultural road within the agricultural management perimeter of Santa Cruz/Guadalupe is another relevant work for the sector. It has an estimated budget of nearly half a million Euros and will serve several farms located within the perimeter.
 
During the visit to Graciosa, the Regional Secretary met with the Mayor of Santa Cruz Town Hall, the Graciosa Farmers' Association, the Graciosa Young Farmers' Association and the Graciosa Cooperative Cellar. These meetings were intended to analyse the challenges and the potentialities of the sector.
 
The remodelling and expansion works of Graciosa Cooperative Cellar provided a vital contribution to the development and diversification of agriculture. The intervention represented an investment over one million Euros that was subsidised by PRORURAL programme.
 
The goal is to transform the cellar into an Agri-food unit with processing plants for various products, including garlic, horticultural products, honey, jams and wines.
 
"We are creating the conditions to increase wealth and jobs on Graciosa, thus demonstrating the potential of the agricultural sector in the development of the island and the entire Region," stressed João Ponte.