The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry stated in Horta that the allocation of 62.3 million Euros under the 2019 Investment Plan ensures appropriations for agriculture to continue growing and developing in the Azores.
 
"The Plan guarantees funding for agriculture to continue developing, modernising and becoming more competitive, while meeting the short-term needs of farmers, such as drought support, and without forgetting the contribution to the improvement of farmers' income," said João Ponte.
 
The Secretary for Agriculture spoke Wednesday at the Legislative Assembly during the hearings on the proposals for the 20419 Plan and Budget. On the occasion, he stressed that the appropriations for the 2019 budget of the Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and Forestry grow 5.6 percent in terms of Plan funding, representing an increase of 3.2 million Euros compared to 2018.
 
"This is the best Plan for agriculture of the last three years, as evidenced by the efforts undertaken by the Government to allocate more funds to a sector that is fundamental to the Region's economic development and its territorial and social cohesion," said João Ponte. The government official added that the funds allocated to Agriculture and Forestry will allow "to continue ensuring the growth of the sector, despite the permanent challenges it faces."
 
In order to respond to the drought that hit the Azores this year, João Ponte stressed that the Plan has an appropriation of 4.6 million Euros for this purpose.
 
In terms of public investment in agricultural roads, water and electricity supply to farms, the plan provides for an investment of 10 million Euros. This sum is paramount to continue improving farmers' income, create better working conditions, increase the competitiveness of the sector and reduce production costs.
 
Additionally, six million Euros will be invested in animal health, food safety and genetic enhancement, being decisive factors for the competitiveness of agriculture in the Region.
 
The Regional Government will also maintain support for vocational training, experimentation and agricultural advisory services, thus contributing to the promotion and qualification of products and the available technical capacity.
 
João Ponte pointed out that in the Plan there are five million euros guaranteed by the Region for investments made by farmers and agro-industries in the modernisation of the sector, which leverage "very large investment of the private sector" in the amount of 60 million Euros.
 
The government official recalled that the Azores have made good use of PRORURAL+, registering a commitment rate of 78% and an implementation rate of 47%.
 
In addition to POSEI aid, to which the Region allocates 4.8 million Euros, João Ponte mentioned other direct aids, such as support for producer organisations, which is essential for the Azores to have an even more competitive agriculture.
 
In this area, he highlighted the funds provided for in the Plan for direct payments to support agricultural activity and agri-environment payments, representing an amount of 29 million Euros, of which 3.9 million Euros are allocated from the Region's own funds.
 
In regard to the forestry sector, the government official stated that forest development will be continued, encouraging private investments and multiple use of forest areas, given its huge export potential and wealth generation. The sector will have an estimated allocation of 2.1 million Euros.
 
João Ponte also pointed out that the 2019 Plan intends to reinforce the organisation and modernisation of the milk and meat sectors as main pillars of the regional agricultural activity. Moreover, it aims to promote the ongoing development of the agricultural diversification sector by harnessing its full potentialities.