The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry said the 10th Agricultural Days of Praia da Vitória are an "opportunity" to reveal the merit and excellence of the work developed by the agricultural and animal husbandry sectors and demonstrate the sector's installed capacity. It has the "capacity to face difficulties, embrace new challenges and walk the path of success that, in the end, it will be the success of the Azores."
 
João Ponte spoke Friday at the opening ceremony that takes place over the weekend in a joint initiative of Praia da Vitória City Hall and the main agricultural associations of Terceira Island.
 
In his speech, he stressed that agriculture is and will be the future driving force of regional economy, noting that this is due "to the persistent work, the investments, the innovation and adaptation skills of Azorean farmers to the challenges they have faced in recent decades, but also because of the strategy that the Regional Government has implemented for the sector."
 
The Secretary for Agriculture said the dairy sector was the one that most evolved and today is better prepared and structured.
 
Regarding the price of milk, he stressed that, "in recent months, the prices paid to production in Europe are set up at an accelerated rate, which may indicate that the industry in the Azores will have room to adjust prices in the near future."
 
"It is now important to continue to monitor Azorean milk production in this apparent recovery phase. It will contribute to strengthening the structural competitiveness with investments in infrastructures and the promotion of Azorean products by enhancing CALL and monitoring farms so that they may reduce costs," added the government official.
 
"We will work together with the industry to evaluate new products that bring added value and yield to the entire sector in identifying markets that recognise the quality of what we produce and value them," assured João Ponte.
 
The meat sector reveals a growing importance in the development of the agricultural sector in the Region, with investments being made on Terceira Slaughterhouse, amounting to 1.7 million Euros, which will further enhance the export capacity of cattle slaughtered on the island.
 
"We believe it is possible to substantially improve production prices, a trend that is already taking place. At the same time, our excellent health status provides the outflow of live cattle to Morocco, creating new markets and new business opportunities to Azorean traders and producers," said João Ponte.
 
There is currently a strong possibility of expanding exports to Middle Eastern countries and even direct export from the Azores.
 
João Ponte restated the intention to "create a structure that will include the Government, the University and the main players of the sector to accompany the meat sector," adding that it expects to be working "soon."
 
The Regional Secretary stressed that there are challenges that matter to win, such as "promoting the processing of carcasses on expedition into packaged meat for final consumption and stimulating the organisation production in order to bring it closer to markets and reduce segments in the commercial chain. This will not neglect the signs of markets that can always surprise operators and require the adjustment of strategies."
 
As for agricultural diversification, João Ponte ensured that the Region still has room to grow and may further reduce imports of vegetables and some fruit.
 
"It is important to strengthen the organisation of production in order to grow and promote productions that are better suited to the productive capacities of each island and market demands," said the government official.
 
In this regard, he assured that farmers "may count on the Government to continue providing technical support and strengthening training, which will be adapted to the needs of producers." 
The Secretary for Agriculture said that, in close collaboration with producer organisations, we intend to "carry out a study to identify the Region's consumption and import needs that will create regional production adjustment mechanisms in order to further reduce imports and improve the income of producers."
 
In the context of diversification, organic production has increasingly become an opportunity to be further enhanced.
 
In this regard, the Regional Government will develop, together with operators, the University of the Azores and industry experts, a plan for animal husbandry and organic farming.
 
João Ponte also made a reference to investment in agriculture on Terceira Island.
 
"We will continue to invest, within the reach of available financial resources, in water supply, improvement of roads and electricity supply to farms," said the Regional Secretary.
 
"In addition to the works taking place at the Slaughterhouse, we also highlight the work of the second phase of the Exhibition Park, an investment over four million Euros, and the conclusion of the transfer process of the Regional Veterinary Laboratory, which is a central goal," added the government official.
 
As for the strategy outlined for the agricultural and agro-industrial sector, the Regional Secretary highlighted the importance of continuing to provide the Regional Veterinary Laboratory with human and technical means to increase responsiveness, respond to the needs of the Region and reduce the use of laboratories outside the Azores.
 
João Ponte also announced that the Government will start "a consultation process on POSEI with the associations representing the sector." It aims to reflect on what we intend for the future, especially "if we want to maintain the current scenario, according to which, some aid apportionments have higher rates than others, or if we want to achieve a more equitable solution."
 
"The only certainty we have is that, at the end of the current Community framework, the allocation of POSEI will not change," said the government official.
 
With regard to this consultation process, the Regional Secretary also believes that we should reflect on PRORURAL +.
 
"As it is of public knowledge, the measures to support investment have registered high execution rates," stressed the government official.
 
"There are two possibilities: we maintain the current situation in terms of co-financing rate and maximum amount of investment, and the funds will be quickly exhausted or, alternatively, we reduce rates and the maximum investment so that the available Community funds may reach even more farmers," says João Ponte.