Regional Government encourages farmers to invest in improvement of technical skills
The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry stated today on São Jorge Island that farmers should seize the opportunities created by the various training initiatives made available by the Regional Government and producers' organisations to strengthen their technical skills. They are important to improve farm management and help the sector to meet the challenges of the future.
"If we want to have farms with better levels of efficiency and a sector that generates more income, it seems to me essential that farmers should have more and better technical skills," stressed João Ponte.
The government official spoke at the presentation of the project to upgrade Ponta/Sete Fontes Agricultural Road that took place in the context of the Regional Government's visit to São Jorge.
On the occasion, João Ponte highlighted that the Government regards training as something absolutely strategic and essential for the continuous progress of the agricultural sector, hence the increasing investment in this area with the promotion of training initiatives on several islands that cover different themes.
"In this legislative term, we will invest almost half a million Euros in training initiatives, covering more than 7,000 farmers in 430 courses," João Ponte revealed, adding that they are aimed at strengthening farmers' skills in areas considered important for the development of the sector. Moreover, these courses will also promote the quality of agricultural production in the Region, farm management, food safety, agricultural diversification, investment in organic farming and the fight against rodents, among others.
The government official also highlighted the role played by producers' organisations in the process of strengthening farmers' skills by identifying the areas in which it is necessary to improve knowledge and promoting various training initiatives.
"Despite the Regional Government's investment to improve agricultural infrastructures on all islands, the fact is that the future of the sector also depends on the investment that farmers and those wishing to join the sector must do in terms of training and qualification," said João Ponte. In this context, he added that the registration for training courses aimed at providing farmers with basic education skills, through a partnership with Valorizar Network, runs until January 31.
"This training is another opportunity to qualify young farmers, both those who already work with their parents and those who wish to join the sector but do not basic education skills," said João Ponte. The upgrading project for Ponta/Sete Fontes, located within the Agrarian Planning Perimeter of the West Zone, represents an estimated investment of 400 thousand Euros. According to João Ponte, this is another example of the Government's commitment to solve the problems faced by farmers, improving their working conditions and fostering the competitiveness of farms.
The project will cover an extension of about two kilometres and intends to reinforce the process of consolidating infrastructures to support agricultural development on the island of São Jorge. It is expected to directly improve the access to 40 farms in a total area of 120 hectares.