The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry stated in Angra do Heroísmo that milk recording is "an indispensable tool for the management of successful farms." He added that, through this tool, there has been "a very interesting evolution" in the regional sector in terms of quantity and quality of milk produced.
 
Milk recording is the evaluation of the quantity and quality of milk produced by each milk-producing animal of a farm during successive lactations. It uses methods and means approved at national and international level, being an essential tool in the economic management of farms.
 
João Ponte spoke Wednesday at the delivery ceremony of the Milk Recording Books 2015 to local producers, an event promoted by Terceira Island Agricultural Association. However, he stated that the success of farms is not only due to the milk contrast but, above all, to the effort of producers. They have "managed to keep pace with technological developments with the aim of improving their farms and making investments."
 
"The Azorean Government also did its part, but what the industry is today is mainly due to farmers who gave their best in order to make their farms increasingly competitive and with better conditions for the production of a product of excellence, which is regional milk," said the government official.
 
The Regional Secretary for Agriculture pointed out that "it is now up to the industry to transform what is a very high-quality good into a business opportunity and to enhance what we produce; this should be reflected in the milk prices paid to farmers."
 
Terceira Island produces about 150 million litres of milk and has a weight of about 25% in the Region's overall production.
 
A very positive sign on this island concerns the export of beef, which grew above the regional average.
 
Last year, the Region exported 22% more than in 2015, but the growth registered on Terceira was at 34%. According to João Ponte, "it is a good indicator and gives an insight of the future."
 
"Without being the basis of the agricultural sector, this area is growing. The investments that the Regional Government is doing in the Regional Slaughter Network, enhances this sector in terms of milk production," said the government official.
 
In his speech, the Regional Secretary also mentioned that, "regarding the applications to PRORURAL, the island of Terceira shows a great desire to make investments, being a sign of optimism and confidence."
 
For João Ponte, this is also "a sign that this industry has a future, not just on Terceira island but also throughout the Autonomous Region of the Azores."