The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry announced today that the Regional Government will invest 380 thousand Euros this year to improve accessibility and electrification of the agricultural sector within the Agrarian Perimeter (POA) of Cedros/Salão on Faial Island.
 
"In the specific case of Fligueira road, with an extension of 2 kilometres, there are plans for remodelling and resurfacing interventions, providing it with better conditions for farmers," said João Ponte. He spoke after vising this agricultural road, where he was accompanied by the President of the Village Council of Cedros, Vítor Vargas.
 
The Secretary for Agriculture, who also met with Vítor Vargas, stated that this work in Cedros/Salão POA will be carried out by IROA - Regional Institute of Agricultural Planning. It represents an investment of 170 thousand Euros, benefiting 60 farms stretched over an area of about 102 hectares.
 
"This is an important perimeter, with an extension of 1,600 hectares, which was established in 2016 and this is the first structuring intervention to be carried out in an agricultural road," said João Ponte. Moreover, there also plans for the electrification of farm located within this perimeter, an investment of 40 thousand Euros.
 
For João Ponte, the investment in the modernisation of agricultural infrastructure is essential to make life easier for farmers as well as to reduce farm production costs.
 
In this context, the government official that it is "an effort that has been undertaken over the last years and it is expected to continue."
 
The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry pointed out that the network of agricultural roads on Faial Island, under the administration of the Regional Directorate for Forest Resources (DRFF), covering an overall extension of about 110 kilometres, of which 50 are asphalted.
 
As for the remaining 60 kilometres, João Ponte considered that a "much greater effort" is needed to keep them in good conditions, since they are very important in farmers' daily lives.
 
This year, the DRRF will move forward with the paving of a rural road in Praia do Norte, an investment of about 170 thousand Euros.
 
João Ponte highlighted the good collaboration and combination of efforts undertaken with village councils to respond to farmers' requests. In this regard, he highlighted the specific case of Cedros Village Council, an important agricultural area on Faial Island.