The Regional Director for Rural Development stated today on Terceira Island that the Regional Government's proactive attitude has contributed in a positive and strategic manner to help the development of agriculture.
 
"What agriculture is in the Azores, especially the milk sector, is the result of the efforts undertaken by industry players who have always managed to overcome challenges. In this context, the Regional Government will remain determined to improve public policies that will help the sector to develop and improve the income generated and become a driving force of our economy," said Valter Braga. He spoke on the sidelines of the opening of the 1st Mini Agricultural Fair, an initiative organised by the students attending the Agricultural Production Technician Course at Praia da Vitória Vocational Training School.
 
Valter Braga pointed out the implementation rate of PRORURAL+ as an example of the dynamics of the sector, which is evidenced by the approval of 652 projects for the modernisation of farms amounting to 60 million Euros. Apart from this, he highlighted the entry of 150 young Azorean farmers in agriculture.
 
For the Regional Director, despite the challenges to overcome, these indicators demonstrate the good dynamics of the modernisation of Azorean agriculture, the ability of farmers to continue investing and the capacity to attract more young people; the latter is an important sign of the sector's reliability.
 
Valter Braga also stressed that the challenges will be easily overcome if all stakeholders join forces, bearing in mind that production, processing and distribution are important and need each other to progress.
 
Regarding the 1st Mini Agricultural Fair, the government official noted that this is a pioneering event as far as it reveals the importance and attractiveness of the agricultural sector in the Azores and, particularly, on Terceira Island.
 
"This event is even more relevant, from the Government's standpoint, as it was created, planned and implemented by young students. They are undergoing training, they are investing in their qualification and they expect to develop their professional future in the agricultural sector," said the Regional Director. On the occasion, he expressed his wish that the fair may have other editions in the future.