Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and Food strengthens agricultural infrastructure on Flores Island - Communication

Secretaria Regional da Agricultura e Alimentação

The Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and Food is pursuing its policy towards strengthening institutional cooperation among the departments under its remit, promoting a coordinated and community-focused approach across all Azorean islands.

This strategy aims to respond more effectively to the challenges posed by the maintenance of agricultural and forestry infrastructure, as well as to the improvement of agricultural water supply systems.

During a working visit to the island of Flores on July 6, the Regional Director for Forest Resources and Spatial Planning (DRRFOT), the President of IROA, S.A. and the President of the Flores Island Farmers’ Association carried out a technical visit to the site with a view to assessing various ongoing projects and defining new courses of action.

As part of this visit, a memorandum of understanding was signed between IROA, S.A. and DRRFOT for the provision of a roadside verger machine.

This piece of equipment will bolster maintenance capacity for the approximately 43 kilometres of roads around the forest perimeter of Flores Island, ensuring that work is carried out more quickly and efficiently and helping to minimise the constraints arising from a shortage of staff.

During the visit, IROA, S.A. also carried out the final inspection of the repair and upgrading works on the agricultural water supply system in the parish of Ponta Delgada. It was decided that the necessary studies should be conducted to improve this infrastructure, in partnership with the respective Parish Council.

The working day also included a technical survey of the agricultural water supply system in the parish of Fazenda das Lajes. This step will now advance the project for upgrading this infrastructure, once again in coordination with the local Parish Council, given its current state of disrepair.

Regarding action on these fronts, the Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Food, António Ventura, reiterated that “improving agricultural water supply systems remains a strategic priority.”

The government official pointed out that the Government is “investing in reducing losses in the distribution networks.”

He continued: “Only then can we improve the efficiency of water use and build the resilience of the agricultural sector in the face of current challenges.”

“At the same time, we remain firmly committed to enhancing agricultural and forestry infrastructure, continuing to invest in improving agricultural and rural roads, modernising water supply systems and strengthening institutional partnerships. “We aim to create better conditions for farmers and promote an agricultural sector that is increasingly sustainable and prepared for the future,” concluded the government official.