Government of the Azores has ongoing 23 works to support agricultural activities in the Region
The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Environment revealed today in Água de Pau that the Government of the Azores currently has 23 works in progress or in the process of awarded to support agricultural activity in the archipelago. These interventions represent an overall investment of about four million Euros.
Luís Neto Viveiros pointed out that, in addition to these works, the Government will launch, later this year, the works for the construction and improvements of the regional network of slaughter houses and refrigerator equipment, an estimated global investment over 15 million Euros.
Speaking on the sidelines of a visit to the site where the works for the resurfacing and improvement of the drainage system of Carvalhos Rural Road, municipality of Lagoa, are taking place, the Regional Secretary stressed that the ongoing contract works concern the installation of water supply systems and the construction of agricultural, forest and rural roads.
Hence, the Government, the Regional Directorate for Forest Resources, which is charge for the management of about 1,400 kilometres of forest and rural roads in the archipelago, has already awarded two contract works on Terceira, followed by five contract works to improve several roads on the islands of S. Miguel, S. Jorge and Flores.
These public investments amount to about 1.6 million Euros and will benefit 155 farms, 749 hectares of pastures and 315 hectares of forest areas.
Moreover, IROA - Regional Institute of Agrarian Planning has already awarded 15 contract works for the construction and/or improvement of roads located within the agricultural perimeters as well as the construction of water supply systems on S. Miguel, Terceira, Faial, S. Jorge and Graciosa.
The Government will also launch this year 71 contract works for the supply of power to dairy farms that will be carried out until the end of the current legislative period. This 1.8 million-Euro investment will contribute to the improvement of farmers' income and the competitiveness of the sector.
With regard to work he visited today, awarded to the company Albano Vieira, SA for the amount of 296 thousand Euros, the Regional Secretary stressed that this rural road with an extension of 1377 metres connects Lagoa /Vila Franca do Campo Regional Road no. 1-1 and Junqueiras Rural Road. It aims to improve not only the accessibility of farmers, but also of all the inhabitants of the village of Água de Pau.
This is an important road for agricultural and animal husbandry activities insofar as it will benefit over a dozen farms, covering an area of 42 hectares.