The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry stressed the economic importance of agriculture on Santa Maria Island and challenged young people to invest more in this sector, which generates employment and wealth.
 
"We are developing the Young Farmer Programme in order to facilitate the entry of young people into the regional agricultural sector, thus consolidating the rejuvenation that has been registered while ensuring its long-term sustainability," said João Ponte at the opening of the 1st Agri Commercial Biennial on Santa Maria.
 
The government official stated that, last year alone, the gross revenue of the agricultural sector on Santa Maria, including community aid, surpassed 4.2 million Euros.
 
"This figure clearly demonstrates the need for different partner sectors to work in coordination in order to ensure the sustainability of agriculture. We are certain that in doing so, we are contributing to the development and future of the Azores and, in this particular case, the future of Santa Maria," said João Ponte. As he noted, "being a farmer requires resilience and the willingness to overcome multiple challenges" and, in this regard, the Regional Government has been working to make agriculture" increasingly valued and appealing."
 
Like the rest of the Region, the meat sector on Santa Maria Island is becoming "increasingly important," João Ponte said, pointing out that, over the last years, "the sector has registered a very significant evolution in terms of infrastructures, quality and income generated."
 
"The certification project for slaughterhouses is an example of this situation. It will contribute to increase the competitiveness of beef produced in the Region, thus responding to demanding customers and increasingly informed consumers," said João Ponte.
 
As for agricultural diversification, there has been a notable growth and, in this context, POSEI is strategic tool to ensure sustainable growth in the areas of horticulture, floriculture, fruit growing and viticulture.
 
"We are pleased with the efforts undertaken by Agromariensecoop to increase the production area of Santa Maria's PGI cantaloupe. Given its quality, the demand in the market has always been higher than supply, which guarantees its disposal," said the government official.
 
The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry recalled that the challenges of agriculture in the Azores are greater due to geographic and climate constraints, small farm size and the characteristics of the internal market. In order to overcome them, we need the "mobilisation, unity and determination of all those involved in this sector."
 
In addition to continuing the development and modernisation process, reducing production costs, investing in innovation and promoting quality production, João Ponte mentioned the importance of improving the budget proposal of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) for 2021-2027 with regard to POSEI and the Rural Development Programme. Currently, these matters are being negotiated among Member States.
 
According to the government official, the 1st Agri Commercial Biennial, which runs until Sunday, was able to "join forces and congregate synergies. It is a good example of cooperation among different entities that have a common and central purpose: to serve Santa Maria islanders and contribute the economic and social development of Santa Maria Island."
 
"This is the right moment to demonstrate the importance of the agricultural sector to Santa Maria's economy, the installed capacity on the island and the good work that has been carried out in favour of the development of the most important economic activity in the Region," said João Ponte.