Terceira's dairy sector should face future with optimism and confidence, says João Ponte
The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry stated on Terceira that the dairy sector should face the future with optimism and confidence, noting that, despite the many challenges, the path taken so far has been towards development, structural strengthening and wealth generation.
"In the particular case of Terceira, these challenges grow even further with the limitation of production and the price paid to producers with negative and direct impacts on producers' income. Despite these difficulties, the importance and contribution of milk production to the island's economy is undeniable," said João Ponte. He spoke Wednesday at the presentation of the 2017 Milk Recording, an event organised by Terceira Agricultural Association.
The Secretary for Agriculture highlighted several positive indicators, being synonymous with the dynamics and confidence of a sector capable of attracting young people. In this regard, he mentioned the stability in the number of milk producers on Terceira, the considerable adherence to PRORURAL + for the modernisation of farms, which approved 124 projects with an investment of 15 million Euros, and the first installation of 30 young farmers in milk production with public support amounting to one million Euros.
"In order to guarantee the sustainability of the dairy sector on this island, it seems to be inevitable that the industry will have to see milk producers in a different light," said João Ponte. According to him, the price paid to producers, the limits imposed on production and the aggravation of other factors can threaten the sustainability of many dairy farms on Terceira Island. Therefore, the industry has a major challenge to overcome, which involves the improvement of milk, innovation and the conquering of new markets in order to better pay farmers.
João Ponte stressed that the launch of organic milk on the island of Terceira in 2019 and on São Miguel in 2020 will certainly contribute to increasing the awareness of Azorean dairy products and boosting their appreciation.
The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry called for the industry's confidence, stating that the plan to restructure milk production is being developed together with the Azores Agricultural Federation. It provides for a series of measures intended to overcome the adverse situation arising from the position taken by the dairy industries on the islands of São Miguel, Terceira and Graciosa to limit the processing of milk.
"We must face this moment with serenity and confidence and regard it as just one of the many restructuring changes that the milk production has undergone throughout the years. These restructuring change have allowed us to be here today, when are precisely talking about the most important sector of regional economic activity," said the government official.
The government official pointed out, as example of these measures, the Government's proposal for a more attractive cessation of agricultural activities with the aim of favouring the rejuvenation of the sector, the resizing and reparcelling of farms and the dignified retirement of older farmers.
The Regional Government is also working on a new programme to support the modernisation of agriculture and forestry, designated as PROAMAF +, which will co-finance investment projects up to 10 thousand Euros. Additionally, it will also launch the Young Farmer programme to facilitate the access of young people to the agricultural sector.