The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry challenged farmers on Santa Maria Island to further invest in the agricultural sector and make use of public support.
 
"Despite the low adherence of Santa Maria farmers to PRORURAL + programme, which has resulted in a very small number of applications, the Government believes in the island's productive and agricultural capacity. Therefore, it challenges Santa Maria farmers to further invest in the sector and make use of the public support available, "said João Ponte in Vila do Porto.
 
João Ponte spoke Sunday during the debate on "Challenges of Agriculture in Santa Maria and the Future of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Post 2020," an initiative included in the celebrations of the 31st anniversary of Santa Maria Agricultural Association. On the occasion, he stressed that a significant part of the wealth generated in the Region is based on the agricultural sector, being also one of the structuring components of the archipelago's development model.
 
"We are well aware that other sectors, some rising in our economy, are important for the Azores, but the reality is that agricultural activity is associated with our image as a tourist destination and tourism means the expansion of our internal market for products from of our agriculture," said João Ponte. In this regard, he acknowledged the need for the Azores to continue growing in terms of economic diversification, productivity and quality.
 
The Regional Secretary assured that the Government of the Azores has unhesitatingly defended the increase of the financial envelopes under the next CAP to ensure a more competitive agriculture, tackle desertification in rural areas and ensure the sustainability of the sector.
 
"Debates such as the ones we are promoting on all islands concerning the challenge of agriculture in their territories and the future of CAP are crucial for a good strategic plan for the post-2020 CAP. This plan should meet the challenges of agriculture in the Azores and ensure that the next CAP continues to provide resources that will boost productivity, increase investments in farm modernisation, innovation and improve infrastructures," said the government official.
 
On the other hand, João Ponte stated that the next CAP should continue to focus on agricultural diversification, an area that has grown 10% a year in the Azores. According to him, the Regional Government will continue to invest in this area in order to "reduce imports of vegetables and fruit," but also to export some of these products.
 
João Ponte also considered that there must be a commitment and involvement of the entire sector so that the Region has a strategic plan for the future CAP may guarantee the growth of agriculture, improve farmers' income, and strengthen economic development and the social cohesion of the Azores.