The Regional Secretary for Natural Resources revealed today that the current execution of the Programme for the Rural Development of the Azores (PRORURAL) is about 75%, which "demonstrates the initiative of farmers and the rural population of the Azores."

"I stress that the execution rate of PRORURAL is about 75%, i.e., it is above the average of European programmes and it is the best execution rate of Portuguese programmes," stated Luís Neto Viveiros. The government official spoke during a visit to the dairy farm "João Meneses do Couto," which benefited from the support measures allocated under the Programme to support Young Farmers and the Modernisation of Farms.

Luís Neto Viveiros took the opportunity to exchange views with young farmers in order to become better acquainted with the implementation of the project and the introduction of technological innovations, such as the acquisition of a fixed type milking machine, cleaning system, unifeed trailer, reservoir, trough and maternity pens.

With an area over 65 hectares, this farm is located in the village of Angra do Heroísmo, municipality of Angra da Heroísmo; it has an average capacity for 80 animals for milk production and the milk quota is set at 587,517 litres.

Luís Neto Viveiros revealed that a total of 168 applications for the support programme for young farmers have been approved so far, which corresponds to a global premium over 6.1 million Euros.

With regard to all support requests approved under this measure of PRORURAL aimed at young farmers, 67 percent of the applications were submitted for the support to young farmers, 20 percent correspond to projects in the area of cattle breeding and meat production and 10 percent to projects in the area of horticulture.

Of the approved applications submitted by youngsters, 63 percent of the beneficiaries are aged between 18 and 30 while 37 percent are aged between 31 and 40.

In turn, a total of 991 support requests have been approved under the measure to support the Modernisation of Farms, representing an overall amount of about 60 million Euros.

The support measures had a previously stipulated budget of 20 million Euros, but due to the good management of the Azores and the high execution rate, the amount was reinforced twice in a total amount of 36 million Euros.