The Government of the Azores continues to be a committed partner, increasing the quantity and the quality of fruit production in the Azores.

During the closing ceremony of the apple campaign undertaken by the Fruter Cooperative, the Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry stresses the increase of 21 percent of fruit production in recent years, which “demonstrates the effort of producers as well as of the Regional Government through support and partnerships.”

The estimated production of apples will be of 50 tonnes on Terceira Island during the next campaign.

Noé Rodrigues also mentioned an innovative project that is being undertaken by the Government of the Azores in a partnership with the University of the Azores, which will greatly contribute to the food safety of productions with the elimination of chemical products in pest control, thus improving the image of fruit production.

The project is carried out through demonstration and experimentation on S. Miguel and Terceira with the purpose of controlling Mediterranean fruit fly pest, thus ensuring important economic gains for fruit producers. For the Secretary, experimentation is the best tool to access the success of the experience.

The success of this experience is expected in the short term. It is intended to be another stimulus for the development regional fruit production given the effectiveness of pest control, the reduction of plant protection products or the economic gains from the sale of healthy fruits to which the Government is decisively contributing to the progress of the productions.

These production sectors are worthy of a new level of support awarded by the Government not only to stimulate production and market organisation, but also to create  centres for production reception, processing and commercialisation and to provide specialised services to support producers.

Noé Rodrigues also encouraged producers to produce with quality in order to overcome the challenges of the markets.