The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry stated on the island of Terceira that the Regional Government will soon approve additional financial support on an exceptional basis to compensate flower producers for the loss of income in the Region due to the pandemic.
 
“The support model and the respective legal framework are at the final stages of preparation. They are the result of the full coordination and permanent dialogue between the Regional Government with producers and their representative organisations,” said João Ponte. The government official spoke at the end of a meeting with the Board of FRUTER -Association of Fruit, Vegetable and Flower Producers of Terceira Island.

In this context, he noted that the pandemic caused losses, for example, to the producers of proteas, whose production is entirely export-oriented to the Dutch market and that this year would also reach the USA. However, due to constraints arising in transport in recent months as a result of the pandemic, they ended up not being dispatched, with significant losses to producers' income.
 
“At this stage, it is important to look ahead and rebuild a sector that has been showing extraordinary growth and relevance at an economic level in recent years, creating jobs and generating wealth,” said João Ponte. In this regard, he added that “the Regional Government will always do its part” to help the sector overcoming a less positive phase and envisaging a more prosperous future.

The Regional Secretary pointed out that the Regional Government has always been attentive to the needs of the sector and on the side of producers, recalling, for example, that, under POSEI, specific aid was created for the packaging of proteas, which includes the allocation of five cents per stem. The aid is paid based on the number of stems sold with a size equal to or greater than 40 centimetres.

Additionally, he highlighted the role played by FRUTER as an entity of reference for the Regional Government that has been crucial for the development of horticulture, fruit and floriculture, without forgetting the production of honey.

“FRUTER is a good example of the work carried out in the development of agricultural diversification, value creation of agricultural products, investment in the modernisation of facilities and in the opening of new markets,” considered João Ponte.