Regional Government moves forward with PROAGRI and i9AGRI programmes aimed at supporting modernisation and innovation of farms
The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry stated on São Miguel Island that the Regional Government will move forward the implementation of PROAGRI and i9AGRI, two programmes aimed at supporting innovation, modernisation and the competitiveness of farms.
"This meeting was mainly intended to present two new programmes with the aim of supporting modernisation and innovation, namely PROAGRI and i9AGRI, which were developed by the Regional Government in full cooperation with the sector. In this context, the Government expects to receive input from all parties involved in order to further improve them," said João Ponte. He spoke at the end of a meeting with the president of the Azores Agricultural Federation.
The Secretary for Agriculture stressed that these are important tools to support investments in farms oriented towards sustainability, competitiveness and innovation, which emerge at an important moment.
"Both programmes arise in the final phase of the current Community Support Framework, which already registers a high adherence rate on the part of farmers, enabling them to continue making small investments in farms from regional funds," said João Ponte. On the occasion, he recalled that, together with the measure for the Cessation of Agricultural Activity, already presented to the Agricultural Federation, are important initiatives to support the sector to continue developing and improving its performance.
Regarding PROAGRI, a programme to support the modernisation of the agricultural sector, João Ponte stressed that it will support eligible investments up to the amount of 10 thousand Euros in the acquisition of machinery and equipment, and 15 thousand Euros in investments in the installation of low-voltage networks.
"This is an important support tool that will help farms reducing costs, renovating equipment and improving their working conditions," the government official said, adding that these are simpler and less bureaucratic programmes than PRORURAL.
As for i9AGRI, an innovation support programme, João Ponte stated that it is focused on co-financing the introduction of innovative practices in farms towards the reduction of production costs, with eligible investments of up to 20 thousand Euros.
"We are talking about investments that we consider extremely important today, such as investments in software to support decision making, computerisation, precision agriculture and environmental sustainability," João Ponte said, noting that the primary aim is to improve the efficiency of farms, reduce costs and improve farm income.
The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry also revealed that the financing rates for both programmes range from 30 to 50% depending on the type of investment proposed by the farmer.