The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry announced on Santa Maria that sheep milk cheese will be produced next year on this island, after the completion of the works in the cheese plant owned by ARCOA - Association of Sheep and Goat Breeders of Santa Maria Island, emphasising that this is an innovative product with economic potential.
 
"The works are expected to be completed by February so that the experimental period may begin," said João Ponte, after a visit to the works, which include the replacement of the building's roof.
 
João Ponte pointed out that the Government of the Azores has supervised and supported the investment made by ARCOA insofar as it is important for the island of Santa Maria, starting with all the possibilities of diversification of agriculture and the creation a new product on the island.
 
"This is in line with what the Regional Government stands for, that is, the need to increasingly invest in innovation and quality, the creation of new products capable of generating economic value and the search for new markets," the government official said, adding that the Government has already allocated 50 thousand Euros to the cheese plan project.
 
For João Ponte, the investment in the cheese plant was necessary to continue the strategic decision, involving the Regional Government, producers and ARCOA, towards the production of sheep milk and cheese on Santa Maria.
 
In 2017, ARCOA imported a hundred French Lacaune sheep specimens, a project supported by the Regional Government from the outset.
 
In the context of the policy to promote diversification of agricultural production, innovation and job creation, the Regional Government and ARCOA have maintained a coordinated and close partnership, which, in addition to the construction of cheese plants, has promoted training courses on sheep and goat breeding.
 
Sheep milk cheese may be another innovation factor in the revitalisation of Santa Maria's agriculture and, thus, become a local gastronomic attraction that will contribute to the economic development of that island.
 
For the government official, this is another clear example of the importance that producers' organisations in providing technical support as well as to developing and encouraging agricultural production.