PRORURAL + registers best implementation rate of all national operational programmes, says João Ponte
The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry highlighted in Horta that the Rural Development Programme of the Azores, PRORURAL +, has the best implementation rate at national level under Portugal 2020, which comprises 15 operational programmes.
João Ponte spoke at the Legislative Assembly during a discussion on the impact of drought and water management promoted by PSD, pointing out that the official data register an implement rate of 45% under PRORURAL as of June 30.
According to the EU Funding Newsletter, the implementation rate of the Rural Development Programme of Madeira reached 23% and the implementation rate registered by the Portugal 2020 programme stands at 26%.
For the Regional Government, these figures are very significant because they demonstrate the capacity of Azorean farmers and entrepreneurs to invest, to modernise their farms and to provide their farms and companies with the necessary means to meet the challenges of the agricultural sector.
The Regional Secretary emphasised that, as in previous frameworks, the full implementation of the funds available is essential for the preparation and structuring of agriculture in the Azores so that we may respond positively to the new demands in coming years.
Since 2014, under PRORURAL +, 13,312 applications have been submitted to the different measures and sub-measures, corresponding to a public expenditure of 331 million Euros. A total of 12,194 projects have been approved, which represents a commitment rate of 76%.
The Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and Forestry, through the Regional Directorate for Rural Development, approved today six investment projects under sub-measure 4.2 of PRORURAL+ to support the processing, commercialisation and development of agricultural products.
These projects, located on the islands of São Miguel, São Jorge and Faial, cover the main activities of the agricultural sector, creating 32 direct jobs: 15 permanent and 17 seasonal jobs.
Eligible investments amount to more than 6 million Euros, which corresponds to a public expenditure of 4.1 million Euros.