The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry stated today that, if the current weather conditions continue in coming weeks, the Regional Government may activate mechanisms to support producers, given the negative impact of reduced rainfall on forage maize production.

"From what we saw this morning during the visit to several forage maize plots, some are already ruined and others can still be recovered if it rains in coming weeks," said João Ponte. The situation will continue to be duly monitored by the Regional Government and the Pico Island Agricultural Association.

The government official spoke to journalists at the end of a meeting with the board of this association, which intended to analyse the impact of the drought on maize production as well as the difficulties of water supply to farming.

As regards water supply, João Ponte highlighted the coordination efforts carried out by the Government, the Farmers' Association, municipalities and IROA-Regional Institute of Agrarian Planning to find the best solutions within the resources currently available to address the needs of the agricultural sector.

“The scenario, which is already worrying, could be aggravated if the current weather conditions continue in the coming weeks, with very hot and dry weather and lack of rain to replenish the springs that feed the reservoirs,” said João Ponte. At the moment, the water supply to agriculture on the island of Pico is being made, essentially, through reservoirs connected to boreholes and ponds.

The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry stated that this scenario revealed that the Regional Government's investment in water supply is fundamental, namely on islands where access to water is more difficult, such as the case of Pico, Graciosa and Santa Maria.