Regional Government invests 6 million Euros in agricultural infrastructures on Faial Island in the current legislative term
The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry stated today that the Regional Government will invest six million Euros in agricultural infrastructures on the island of Faial during this legislative term, helping the sector to better address the challenges of the future while improving farmers' working conditions.
“Besides the continuous commitment to improving roads, water supply and the electrification of farms, the Regional Government has invested 4.8 million Euros in the construction of the new slaughterhouse on this island, an infrastructure already certified, to respond to growth of the meat sector,” said João Ponte. As he pointed out, “there was an increase of 138% in beef exports on Faial Island between 2013 and 2019, from 768 animals in 2013 to 1,834 in 2019."
The government official spoke at the opening of the upgrading works of Fligueira Agricultural Road, located in the Agrarian Planning Perimeter of Cedros/Salão, an investment of more than 350 thousand euros. Covering an extension of about two kilometres, it will improve three dozen farms in a total area of about 200 hectares of agricultural land.
For João Ponte, the investment in agricultural infrastructures, besides being strategic, is essential inasmuch as it contributes to reducing production costs and rendering farms even more competitive. In this context, the Government “will invest this year half a million Euros in agricultural infrastructures on Faial Island, namely in the construction of the Carrasca and Ribeirinha roads as well as in the Fontaínhas reservoir, which will have a capacity of 250 cubic metres."
In addition to the growth of the meat sector, João Ponte stressed that agricultural diversification has registered a significant development on this island, pointing out, for example, floriculture, fruit growing and viticulture.
The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry stressed that the good use of Community funds has been instrumental in public investments made in agriculture. Under the current framework, 54 farm modernisation projects for Faial Island have already been approved, an investment of three million Euros, as well as 23 projects for the first installation of young farmers.
Despite the good results already achieved in the agricultural sector, as a result of the partnership and permanent dialogue with all agents of the sector, the Regional Government is aware that it is necessary to do more and do even better, hence the creation and definition of various regional measures.
João Ponte revealed that applications for the new PROAGRI and I9AGRI programmes will open in April. Also, later this year, farmers will also have at their disposal the new legal scheme on the cessation of agricultural activity with better conditions for the retirement of older farmers with dignity as well as the Young Farmer programme, which will attract more young people to the sector.