The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry, João Ponte, stated that investing in the modernisation and improvement of agricultural infrastructures is to build the future of a sector that is of great importance for the economic development of the Azores.
 
"For the Regional Government, this type of event is always an important moment because we are building the future of agriculture, which has great challenges ahead, a greater appreciation of local production," said João Ponte. He spoke at signing ceremony of the contract for the improvement of Peixoto Agricultural Road in the Agricultural Planning Perimeter (POA) of the Central Zone of São Miguel Island.
 
This work, under the responsibility of the Regional Institute of Agrarian Planning - IROA, SA, represents an investment of 305 thousand Euros, covering about 3 kilometres that will improve the access to 28 farms.
 
João Ponte stressed that the Regional Government will remain committed and focused on investing on all islands in order to ensure better working conditions to all farmers.
 
The government official also pointed out that he also authorised the opening of a public tender for the acquisition and installation of high-end equipment in the Regional Veterinary Laboratory. This investment amounting to more than 300 thousand Euros will be fundamental for the industry as it will allow, among other things, the monitoring of chlorates in milk.
 
According to João Pont, this investment and the one approved today are two good examples of the attention that the Regional Government draws to the strategic sector of the archipelago.
 
"Investments such as the one that will be carried out in Peixoto agricultural road contribute to better working conditions, reduce farm costs, improve efficiency, being fundamental to the sector," the Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry said, adding that they also have an effect on farm management and farmers' income.
 
In the case of dairy farms, the government official pointed out that income is strongly linked to the price of milk paid to producers by industries, a component where, as it is publicly known, there is great instability. Hence, it is fundamental for farmers to have other possibilities to reduce costs such as, for example, the investments made by the Government in the modernisation of agricultural infrastructures.
 
"This contribution is very important and we will continue to invest, both in accessibility and in water supply," said João Ponte, who also expects to sign the water supply reinforcement contract shortly, an investment that will benefit Agrarian Planning Perimeter of the Central Zone of São Miguel Island.