Under the policy to promote agricultural diversification, innovation and employment creation, the Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and the Environment, in partnership with ARCOA - Santa Maria Sheep and Goat Breeders Association, has implemented a plan intended to create the conditions for the production of sheep and mixed milk cheese.
In this regard, the Government, through the Regional Directorate for Agriculture, has already promoted a training course on sheep and goat breeding that covered 19 producers from Santa Maria, 14 of whom are visiting several regions in Mainland Portugal that are suited to this production, namely Azeitão, Vaiamonte and Oliveira do Hospital.
The next step involves the import of specimens in order to assess their adaptation to the island conditions as well as to test the types of cheese of cheese than can be marketed.
Sheep cheese may be another innovation factor in the revitalisation of Santa Maria agriculture and become a local gastronomic attraction, thus contributing to the economic development of that island.