The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry stated on São Miguel that the new headquarters of the Azores Milk Association and the interpretation centre of the Milk Itinerary will be a space for the promoting and disseminating the excellence of regional dairy products. 

"This former milk station, redeveloped in terms of its architecture, will be another important contribution to the promotion and dissemination of one of our most recognised products among the Azoreans and tourists who visit us: milk," said João Ponte. The government official presided overt the opening of the new space last Friday on behalf of the President of the Government. 

In his speech, João Ponte stressed that, from now on, those who visit the largest dairy basin of the Azores located in Arrifes, municipality of Ponta Delgada, will have the opportunity to become better acquainted with the whole milk cycle, from production and processing to sales. 

"Milk production in the Region is well structured and has registered an unprecedented evolution in terms of quantity and quality," said the Secretary for Agriculture. According to him, despite the limits imposed on production by some industries in the last four years, there has been a growth of 14% while average productivity increased 18% in the same period. 

For João Ponte, these good indicators are the result of the efforts and the experience of milk producers, the investments made in the modernisation of farms, the focus on animal welfare and genetic improvement, good natural conditions and, especially, because "we have farmers who like what they do."

The Regional Secretary pointed out that the gross revenue of farmers on São Miguel Island, including the sale of milk to industries and POSEI aid, represented an overall amount of 143 million Euros in 2017. Furthermore, the turnover of dairy industries on this island reached about 260 million Euros. 

"These figures clearly demonstrate the importance that the dairy sector has gained in São Miguel's productive fabric. They require that all those involved in the sector, namely associations, cooperatives and farmers, continue to work in a coordinated manner in order to increase the income generated," says João Ponte. 

Despite the prolonged drought in the Azores, João Ponte revealed that milk production grew 3.7% on the island of São Miguel in the first seven months of this year, compared to the same period in 2017, reaching almost 260 million litres.

"Like other difficult times that the agricultural sector has already faced, the Regional Government has been on the side of farmers by taking measures to minimise the damages of the severe situation caused by the drought," stressed the Secretary Regional. In this regard, he added that, throughout history, farmers have always responded to difficulties with their work, ensuring that the Regional Government has done the same. 

The Regional Secretary also announced that a new period of applications for the installation premium of young farmers under PRORURAL+, with an overall allocation of 450 thousand Euros. 

In addition to the opening of the new facilities of the Milk Association and the interpretation centre of the Milk Route, the programme also included the inauguration of two new members, an ethnographic parade through the streets of the village of Arrifes, a fashion show based on Azorean milk and an Azorean beef barbecue.