Regional Government provided effective responses to difficulties arising from drought, says João Ponte
The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry stated in Horta that the Regional Government has undertaken several efforts to tackle the effects of an atypical drought in agriculture with a strategic sense, having provided effective responses to the difficulties created by this situation.
"Needs have been identified and assessed. We have presented proposals, concrete solutions, provided quick responses and worked in cooperation with the Agricultural Federation and other agricultural associations in the sector," said João Ponte. He spoke at the Legislative Assembly during a discussion on the impact of drought and water management.
The government official pointed out that tackling, minimising and adapting to climate change is "a current and future concern" for the Regional Government. This is especially important given the importance of water to ensure the development and sustainability of agricultural activity, as embodied in the Programme of the Government and in the Regional Programme for Climate Change of the Azores for the Water Resources Sector.
"On São Miguel, the accumulated rainfall from March to August is 47% lower than the average of the last 12 years. Also, in the case of Terceira, the accumulated rainfall for the same period is 35% lower than in the last 12 years," João Ponte said, claiming that the archipelago is being hit by "an absolutely unusual and completely atypical drought."
The Regional Secretary announced that an application will be opened under PRORURAL + by the end of the year. With an overall allocation of 1.5 million Euros, it is intended to contribute to the installation of reservoirs or artificial ponds in farms, thus taking another step in improving the water storage capacity of the agricultural sector.
Since the establishment of IROA - Regional Institute of Agrarian Planning, João Ponte mentioned that nearly 55 million Euros have been invested in water supply, half of which in the last decade. As more needs to be done, the IROA's plan for 2019 proposes to invest more than 50% of its budget in water storage and supply, an estimated investment amounting to three million Euros.
To promote the rationalisation of water consumption and a better response to the supply of farms, João Ponte stressed that IROA will implement this year a system for collecting water from farmers under the integrated water supply systems for livestock on São Miguel Island.
Moreover, IROA is already carrying out an assessment of water needs for supplying farms on islands such as São Miguel, Santa Maria, Pico, São Jorge and Graciosa. It is also implementing an investment action plan for the next decade to ensure continued availability of this important resource.
The government official reiterated the need for municipalities to consider water supply to farms with the same level of concern as they do regarding other sectors of economic activity.
"We are not demanding that municipalities make unilateral investments or on their own. Cooperation and joint efforts encourage the faster development of municipalities and the Region in the struggle of all Azoreans for best possible distribution of this resource," said João Ponte. In this regard, he recalled that he met with the Association of Municipalities of São Miguel a week after taking office to address water management issues and the need to establish partnerships between the Government and municipalities.
The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry urged farmers to increase the water supply in farms using rainwater, recalling that the provision of a financial contribution of 75% for this type of investments.
For João Ponte, the role of the forests cannot be neglected as far as the water cycle is concerned. Hence, the Regional Government has created incentives for the afforestation of agricultural land, especially high-altitude pastures, which has allowed the growth of private forest areas over 2,000 hectares under the last three Community support frameworks.