Working group presents proposal for Regional Fruit Farming Development Plan to the Regional Government
The working group coordinated by David Horta Lopes, from the University of the Azores, presented today to the Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry the proposal for a Regional Fruit Farming Development Plan, a guiding and strategic document aimed at helping the Government to define public policies in the coming decade with a view to the growth of this sector.
“The so-called 'Profruta' is a guiding document for governmental action in the coming years, containing several specific action measures designed to stimulate the sustainable growth of the fruit sector in the Azores,” said João Ponte.
The government official stressed that this is not a closed plan, as there will still be a public presentation followed by a public consultation phase, where interested parties may submit proposals to improve this strategic document.
The working group responsible for the development of "Profruta" included technicians from the Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and Forestry, fruit sector experts, the University of the Azores and producers' organisations.
João Ponte highlighted the Region's potential to produce more quality fruit. It can and should be better harnessed, although there are differences from island to island.
"The growth of this sector is fundamental to properly harness the existing potential, reduce fruit imports and, simultaneously, to be able to export some fruits by improving our position in the external markets," stressed the Regional Secretary.
For João Ponte, this plan, along with others already completed, is very important for the growth of agriculture, the diversification of the sector and the improvement of farmers' income. In this regard, he added that "there has been very a remarkable growth of agricultural diversification during this legislative period, with the expectation that it will continue in the future.”