The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry, João Ponte, announced today that Azorean farmers can already take out crop insurances to protect their crops and their income from adverse weather conditions. The implementation of this measure is the result of the Government's determination and commitment.
 
"Today is a historic day for Azorean agriculture. Five years after the beginning of PRORURAL+, crop insurance reaches the Azores, said João Ponte, who spoke at the presentation session of the crop insurance system on São Miguel Island.
 
The government official stressed that what has been assigned to the Regional Government and Crédito Agrícola Seguros (an insurance company owned by Crédito Agrícola Group) "is well done" and now it is up to farmers and producers' organisations.
 
João Ponte noted that the existence of crop insurances in the Azores contributes to the promotion of risk management in agriculture, thus offsetting and minimising losses caused by adverse weather events while protecting income from agricultural activities.
 
The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry also defended that this is a good response to climate change as it represents increased risks for agriculture.
 
"For the Regional Government, crop insurances are a good measure for farmers, seeing that they reduce exposure to adverse weather conditions," João Ponte said, adding that farmers only have to pay 30% of the insurance premium amount.
 
As João Ponte also mentioned, crop insurances guarantee a financial compensation to farmers in cases when their activity is affected by adverse weather conditions that destroy more than 20% of production.
 
"The Regional Government regards this measure as a good policy that has already been tested in the case of banana production affected by adverse weather conditions in Madeira last year," said the government official. In this regard, he added that the implementation of crop insurances in the Azores also "demonstrates the Regional Government's commitment, determination and persistence in providing another tool at the service of agriculture and farmers."
 
According to João Ponte, crop insurances, implemented for the first time in the Azores, should be not regarded by farmers as an additional financial burden in their activity, but rather as a protection to their income.
 
The presentation and information session on crop insurances will also take place on Terceira Island with the aim of clarifying the doubts of farmers and producers' organisations and raising their awareness for the benefits of crop insurances.