The Regional Director for Rural Development stated in Lisbon that the Azorean Government is working with the Financing Institute for Agriculture and Fisheries (IFAP) to speed up all procedures and mechanisms concerning the reception, analysis, decision and processing of payment requests under VITIS programme.
 
"The coordination and streamlining of procedures are absolutely essential so that both institutions may improve the response provided to Azorean wine producers," said Valter Braga, who spoke at the end of a meeting with the president of IFAP, Pedro Ribeiro.
 
Valter Braga considered that the VITIS programme has been an "essential strategic tool" in the process of rehabilitation and conversion of vineyards in the Azores, contributing to the dynamics of the local economy as well as to the creation of employment and wealth.
 
"Since 2014, a total of 470 projects have already been approved under VITIS, covering an area of 761 hectares of vineyards. They correspond to an approved investment of 20.4 million Euros, of which 18 million Euros have already been paid as of late January," said the government official.
 
The Regional Director considered that these indicators evidence the dynamics and vitality of viticulture in the Azores, with special emphasis on the island of Pico.
 
Valter Braga pointed out that this sector has managed to adapt and grow in terms of professionalism, modernisation and marketing by following the trends of consumers who are increasingly demanding in quality and more knowledgeable about what they consume. 
 
"In 2018, certified wine production reached a record quantity of approximately 400 thousand litres, which corresponds to a growth of 330% over the previous year," said the Regional Director.