The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry ensurd that the support for agricultural production in the Azores includes coffee, a crop that has been raising a growing interest among producers on several islands.
 
"The coffee crop is covered by the current support for production under POSEI aid for fruit and vegetable," João Ponte said, adding that there are currently 15 coffee producers on the islands of Terceira and São Jorge.
 
Regarding POSEI, the government official mentioned that the amount of aid for coffee production reaches 1,400 Euros per hectare.
 
"It should be noted that the area of agricultural diversification, namely the production of vegetables, fruit and flowers, has grown 25% over the last three years, while the amount of POSEI aid for this production has increased 20%," stressed the Regional Secretary.
 
In addition, coffee producers may also apply for investment projects under PRORURAL+.    
 
The Secretary for Agriculture also stressed that the Regional Government has been following up coffee producers, pointing out the need to continue studying this crop in order to harness its potential.
 
This year, the Regional Government allocated 26 thousand Euros to the Association of Coffee Producers of the Azores for the purchase of processing equipment.
 
"Our edaphoclimatic characteristics as well as our volcanic soils will surely contribute to the production of a unique coffee, unlike any other in the market," the government official said, adding that this product may raise commercial interest and contribute to agricultural diversification.