“Times have changed, battles are different, challenges are more demanding and the quality of our farmers is higher.”

That was how the President of the Government of the Azores set the tone for a short speech which focused on the need for regional production activities to decisively promote and improve the quality of their productions.

Speaking during the delivery of the milk testing premiums at a ceremony that was organised by the Agricultural Association of São Miguel – which gathered over four thousand people at the Santana Fair - and was integrated in the celebrations of the Farmer’s Day, Carlos César congratulated the recipients of the premium and stated that the levels of competence and demand in Azorean agriculture are already high; although it is necessary to increasingly promote the quality standards.

“In fact, if in recent years we have achieved success in the battle for quantity – through which we have managed to secure our position in the markets and improve the efficiency of our farmers – the truth is that the quality challenge is a more demanding challenge,” stressed the President of the Government.

For Carlos César, “this quality is what will allow the creation of a brand image, a positive distinction in the markets when everything points to a tendency for liberalisation as well as for unprotected commercialisation.”   

Thus, the Government will ensure the production of quality and distinction not only for consumers, but also for processing industries because, as he pointed out, “gone are the days when it was only necessary to produce and wait for the consumer.”

The President of the Government expects that milk testing be gradually extended to all farmers so that they may be increasingly distinguished “at a regional and national level or even beyond our borders as quality business people who are conscientious and entitled to take part in the success of regional production activities for their dedication, quality and competence.

Insisting on the idea that was on the basis of his speech, Carlos César repeated that it is essential to win the battle for quality as quantity is not relevant.

“This is a great challenge that we must face, particularly in the agricultural sector, but also in all economic and production activities of our Region,” concluded Carlos César.

At the occasion, the President of the Government congratulated the Agricultural Association of São Miguel for the distinction awarded by the Portuguese Red Cross – which awarded this association with a gold medal following the donation of one hundred thousand Euros to aid the earthquake victims in Haiti – and stated that the gesture of the Azorean farmers had emphasised their generosity as well as their spirit of solidarity.