The President of the Government highlighted the "remarkable progress" achieved by the agricultural sector in the Azores on occasion of the celebrations of the National Agriculture Day. According to him, this situation is also due to capacity demonstrated by regional farmers to overcome challenges.
 
"The Azores have made an absolutely remarkable journey, not only in dairy sector but also in the entire agricultural sector. Azorean farmers are, in fact, an example of their capacity to respond to the challenges posed to them, both in terms of quantity and quality" of their production, said Vasco Cordeiro.
 
The President of the Government spoke during an initiative promoted by São Miguel Agricultural Association with the support of the Regional Government. The event marked the National Agriculture Day and brought together four thousand children from various schools of São Miguel Island at the agricultural market premises.
 
For Vasco Cordeiro, the path followed by Azorean agriculture makes this sector of significant economic and social importance in the Region, but also, in the specific case of dairy products, a great relevance at national level.
 
"Accounting for 2.3 percent of the national territory, the Azores produce more than 30 percent of the national milk and about 50 percent of the cheese produced in the country," noted the President of the Government. As he mentioned, this situation is the result of the "commitment and skills of all those involved in this process."
 
"However, there are issues that need to be improved. There are challenges ahead of us and one of these challenges that mobilises us all concerns the negotiations of the next Community support framework," said Vasco Cordeiro. In this regard, he restated that the Azorean Government is satisfied with the European Commission's proposal for the post-2020 budget.
 
Vasco Cordeiro visited the areas where the children's activities took place, where he was accompanied by the President of the São Miguel Agricultural Association, Jorge Rita, and the President of the Confederation of Portuguese Farmers (CAP), Eduardo Oliveira e Sousa. On the occasion, he pointed out that this was an "initiative of significant merit insofar as it allowed children and young people to become better acquainted with this sector."
 
"This goal also requires initiatives like this one. They not only promote and dignify the sector, but also make younger generations acquainted with the production methods of many products we consume on daily basis," said the President of the Government.