The Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and Forestry signed a cooperation protocol with the Cooperative for Solidarity Economy Initiatives - Kairós to promote, defend and value the production and consumption of organic products on the island of São Miguel.
 
"Promoting and encouraging production with organic methods is fundamental and, thus, initiatives such as this certainly contribute to this goal," said João Ponte in Ponta Delgada. He spoke at the end of a visit to Quinta do Priôlo, a project promoted by that cooperative where the signing of the protocol took place.
 
The Regional Secretary pointed out that this protocol allows the cooperative to develop the BIOKAIRÓS project, a kind of outdoor laboratory focused on organic production and promotion of organic farming among children and young people. These methods bring significant advantages from an environmental and food safety perspective.
 
"It will be important for the dissemination of organic farming on the island of São Miguel. I am sure that we will move forward and that this protocol may contribute to this goal," stressed João Ponte. In this context, he pointed out the example of Terceira Island where the dynamics of organic farming is different due to the action of Bio-Azórica and Biofontinhas, among other institutions.
 
João Ponte reiterated that the Regional Strategy for Organic Farming will be presented in the first quarter of 2018. It is being developed by a working group with the collaboration of professors from the University of the Azores and representatives of organisations of the sector.
 
"Organic farming is not solely carried out with policies or words, but with actions such as this protocol and with the help of partners," said the government official. He noted the "growing interest" in organic production in recent years, which is greatly due to environmental and food safety benefits.
 
"Today we have to adapt production to the demands of market and consumers. If they want organic products, we have to meet this demand. It is a highly valued production insofar as it is free from chemicals," stressed the Secretary for Agriculture.
 
The Quinta do Priôlo, located within Quinta de São Gonçalo, owned by the Regional Government, is visited by more than 2,000 children and young people aged between 3 and 16.
 
João Ponte pointed out that this farm has carried out, over the years, a "meritorious work that has yield significant results," as a result of concerted strategies in education, environmental protection and promotion of sustainable agricultural processes.