The Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and Forestry, through the Regional Directorate for Rural Development, will mark the Regional Production Day on April 26 with a seminar on the theme "Azores with added value" at the São Miguel Exhibition Park.
 
Production, processing, innovation, cooperation and consumption are the areas that will be highlighted in this event. The opening session will be attended by the Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry, João Ponte, and the President of the Azores Agricultural Federation, Jorge Rita.
 
The celebration of the Regional Production Day coincides with the National Production Day, which has been marked since 2011. It intends aims to raise the awareness of consumers for the social and economic importance of Portuguese production as well as for the consumption of national products.
 
The morning programme of the seminar includes papers to be delivered by Maria Custódia Correia on the importance of cooperation in production, Vitor Tito, who will address seven major trends in the food market, and Pedro Pimentel, who will reflect on the current situation and future trends in dairy products.
 
Even before lunch, Mirjam Buil will talk about innovation in processing and Maria Canelhas will address cooperation in consumption.
 
The morning works also include a paper on the wine market to be delivered by Rodolfo Tristão, president of the Tasters' Board of the Regional Wine Commission of the Azores. In turn, Marisa Toste, manager at the Society for Business Development of the Azores (SDEA), will address the upcoming challenges of the Azores Brand and the power of this brand.
 
During the afternoon, four cases will be presented regarding the promotion of production. Rui Calouro (BEL) will talk about sustainable pastures and Madalena Mota (Chá Gorreana) will address tea production from the standpoint of agriculture, tourism and internationalisation. In turn, Carlos Arruda (INOVA) will talk about improving the competitiveness of the Azores pineapple and entrepreneur João Monteiro will address added value in horticulture.
 
This seminar, whose session will be closed by the Regional Director for Rural Development, Fernando Sousa, is open to the participation of all interested parties, including farmers and industrialists in the agri-food sector. Registrations should be made by telephone 295 404 280 or at the electronic address https: / /docs.google.com/forms.