Applications open to provide technical support for beef farmers - Communication

Secretaria Regional da Agricultura e Alimentação

The Regional Government, through the Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and Food, informs that applications to support coaching sessions in all sectors of activity related to agricultural production within the beef farming sector are open until October 20.

These sessions include the provision of specialised technical support for agricultural producers to improve their skills in managing the economic, environmental and social aspects of their business, including digital skills and the use of innovative tools.

The support provided through the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) falls under the multisectoral theme "M.01 - Sustainable management of farms" within the "Programme to Empower Farmers and Promote Literacy in Sustainable Production and Consumption." This support is part of the "Economic Recovery of Azorean Agriculture" investment promoted by the Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and Food.

Under this measure, support may be granted for the organisation of monitoring or guidance sessions, according to the main needs of farms in terms of competitiveness, green transition, which includes the sustainable use of natural resources, digital transition, energy transition, plant and animal health, and animal welfare.

The support takes the form of a non-refundable grant and will be awarded up to a fixed annual limit of €1,500.00 per beneficiary farm with an annual monitoring or guidance plan. The maximum annual limit is set at €16,500.00 per beneficiary from the geographical area of Santa Maria, Graciosa or Corvo, and the maximum annual limit is set at €24,000.00 per beneficiary from the geographical area of São Jorge, Faial, Pico or Flores. There will be a maximum of 10 farms per coach.

Applications may be submitted within the terms of the opening notices and must be submitted using the electronic form available on the website indicated in the calls. 

"We are promoting rural dissemination in various sectors of agricultural production, after viticulture, horticulture and fruit and flower growing, it is now time to support technical knowledge directly in the field for beef farms. More knowledge in the field results in more efficiency in generating income for producers, better production sustainability and increased food safety," says António Ventura, the Regional Secretary for Agriculture.

Within the scope of agriculture, the RRP includes the investment "Economic Recovery of Azorean Agriculture." It aims to contribute to the resilience and sustainable growth of the region's production potential, mitigate the economic and social impact of the crisis on the Azorean agricultural and agrifood sector, and contribute to the dual climate and digital transition in this sector.

The "Programme to Empower Farmers and Promote Literacy in Sustainable Production and Consumption" is one of the investment measures within the scope of the green transition, digital transition and animal welfare, including certifications.

In a region like the Azores, which is remote, predominantly rural and known for its natural values, agriculture is of paramount economic, social and territorial importance for regional cohesion. Access to information and knowledge by those involved in the agricultural sector and the population, in general, is considered a key element in ensuring the transition to agricultural sectors that are more ecological, sustainable, diversified and better adapted to the Region's soil and climatic, and geographical and socio-economic conditions, as well as contributing to progressive and desirable food self-sufficiency.

In this context, as regards the type of actions to be developed, it is essential to diversify the formats to be made available, and for this reason, the programme includes, among other actions, "Coaching sessions," consisting of personalised actions led by a coach with the appropriate technical qualifications, who provides a personalised annual intervention to be carried out at different times.

These coaching sessions are based on specialised technical support for agricultural producers, through the transfer of knowledge and information aimed at empowering and advising farmers on the efficient and sustainable management of their farms in economic, social, environmental and climatic terms, animal welfare, public health and efficiency in the use of resources.