The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry stated that the Regional Government invested 1.9 million Euros this year in enhancing agricultural accessibility on Terceira Island. This is an important aspect to improve the working conditions of farmers, boost the efficiency of farms and prepare the industry to better face future challenges.
 
"All this investment in the redevelopment of roads that will serve farmers but also residents and tourists evidences the priority status awarded by the Regional Government to this type of investment," said João Ponte. The government official spoke during the opening of the redevelopment works of Barro Vermelho Rural Road on Terceira Island; a commitment made by the Government that is now under implementation.
 
The government official stressed that this work falls within the investments deemed necessary for the development of the sector that have been carried out by the Regional Directorate for Forest Resources and IROA - Regional Institute of Agrarian Planning, thus continuing the pursuance of policies for the modernisation of agricultural infrastructures.
 
"In the case of Terceira, the intervention in Serra do Cume and Chambre roads will start soon, while the contract work for the repaving of Pico Gaspar road was authorised last week," said the Regional Secretary.
 
Besides these investments, the Regional Government seeks to respond to emergency situations, such as the one that occurred Sunday on Terceira Island due to bad weather. It is estimated that the losses registered in the agricultural sector, reach almost 500 thousand Euros in terms of infrastructures and affected crops.
 
João Ponte stated that the Regional Government is already working at two levels by, firstly, restoring the safety conditions of road traffic and, secondly, searching for definitive solutions; the latter will entail the preparation of projects, tender specifications and the launch of the procedure. This will only be possible within the next budget, especially with two major interventions, one to be undertaken by IROA and another by the Regional Directorate for Forest Resources.
 
Although many of the affected roads are not under the Government's responsibility, the services of the Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and Forestry are fully available to collaborate with Angra do Heroísmo City Council and village councils to restore normal conditions.
 
"Emergency situations require special responses," said João Ponte.
 
Regarding the works of Barro Vermelho Rural Road, now opened, João Ponte considered that it is a "good example" of cooperation between the Regional Government and Local Power. In addition to being relevant to the agricultural sector, this road is also important for the economy of the village of Ribeirinha, namely in the area of tourism.
 
The intervention in Barro Vermelho Rural Road, with an estimated budget of 282 thousand Euros, was carried out under the responsibility of the Regional Directorate for Forest Resources. Covering an extension of 2,540 metres, it is of paramount importance to agricultural and forestry activities.
 
This road serves almost sixty farmers. It comprises an area of about 93.6 hectares of privately-owned pastures and gives access to about 18 hectares of forest area located within Terceira Forest Perimeter.