The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry announced in Horta that a legislative amendment will be introduced shorty with the aim of enabling Local Action Groups (LAGs) to increase the number of requests for payments to projects approved under PRORURAL+.
 
"The amendment that will now be introduced enables these entities to make six payment requests, instead of the current four. This is relevant as far as it creates the conditions for improving the implementation rate of PRORURAL+ in terms of funds managed by LAGs under LEADER, "said João Ponte.
 
Speaking after the meeting with the President of ASDEPR - Association for Rural Development and Promotion, Carlos Ávila, the government official highlighted the importance of PRORURAL+ funds for the ongoing development of the territories covered by LAGs.
 
There are four Local Action Groups in the Azores, namely Adeliaçor, ASDEPR, ARDE and GRATER.
 
João Ponte pointed out that, currently, the overall implementation rate of PRORURAL+ stands at 54%, which represents the payment of nearly 180 million Euros; the commitment rate reaches 84%.
 
"These indicators give a good indication of the significant adherence of several promoters, whether in investment projects for agricultural modernisation and local development, such as initiatives promoted by LAGs under LEADER, or in development projects promoted by agro-industries," said the Regional Secretary. According to him, this represents job creation, growth and development, and, above all, enables the region to be prepared to face the future challenges of agriculture.