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Secretaria Regional da Agricultura e Alimentação
Regional Government marks International Day of Plant Health by modernising agricultural warning network
Regional Government marks International Day of Plant Health by modernising agricultural warning network
Secretaria Regional da Agricultura e Alimentação
Regional Government is investing over €190,000 in stepping up rodent control measures to protect farms
Regional Government is investing over €190,000 in stepping up rodent control measures to protect farms
Secretaria Regional da Agricultura e Alimentação
Regional Government strengthens Agricultural Monitoring Network to support farmers across all islands
Regional Government strengthens Agricultural Monitoring Network to support farmers across all islands
May 12, 2026
Regional Government marks International Day of Plant Health by modernising agricultural warning network
March 31, 2026
Regional Government is investing over €190,000 in stepping up rodent control measures to protect farms
March 9, 2026
Regional Government strengthens Agricultural Monitoring Network to support farmers across all islands
News
Nota de Imprensa
May 12, 2026
Regional Government marks International Day of Plant Health by modernising agricultural warning network
On International Day of Plant Health, observed today, the Regional Government, through the Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and Food, reiterates its commitment to food security and the sustainability of the primary sector by modernising the Azores Agricultural Monitoring and Warning Network (RMAAA). In an island region characterised by its high biodiversity, this infrastructure plays a critical role in preventing pests and diseases, preserving ecosystems and ensuring the competitiveness of regional production. For the Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Food, António Ventura, “protecting plant health is about protecting agricultural production, farmers’ income and the balance of ecosystems.” The government official emphasised that strengthening the RMAAA enables “the sector to be better equipped in terms of preventing problems and having better tools to respond to current challenges, with more information, greater accuracy and greater sustainability.” Operated by the Regional Directorate for Agriculture, Veterinary Affairs and Food (DRAVA), the network is now a key infrastructure for integrated crop protection. Currently, the system comprises 105 Biological Observation Posts (BOP) and 55 Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) distributed throughout the archipelago. This technological network ensures continuous territorial coverage, contributing to the collection of vital climate data to feed into forecasting models, anticipating risks and tailoring technical recommendations to the specific microclimates of each island. All biological and meteorological information collected converges in real time on the RMAAA digital platform, which processes the data, generates alerts and issues warnings with specific recommendations. Hence, the network ensures that technical knowledge reaches farmers quickly and clearly, promoting an increasingly preventive and efficient action. The operation of this entire system is based on a collaborative model involving the Island Agrarian Development Services, associations and cooperatives, always in close coordination with the Azores Agricultural Federation. In addition to providing direct, daily support to farms, RMAAA plays a key role as the first line of defence in monitoring emerging and quarantine pests, and in ensuring coordination with national and European networks. “With this reinforcement, we are consolidating RMAAA as a strategic tool for knowledge, prevention and innovation, essential for tackling climate change and globalisation challenges,” stressed António Ventura. The Secretary for Agriculture reiterated the Government’s commitment to a response that “boosts productivity, reduces risks and safeguards the archipelago’s invaluable agricultural and environmental heritage.” Farmers and technicians interested in accessing the daily information produced by RMAAA can consult the agricultural warnings and advisories, and register for free on the official platform at https://avisos.agricultura.azores.gov.pt/.
May 12, 2026
Regional Government marks International Day of Plant Health by modernising agricultural warning network
On International Day of Plant Health, observed today, the Regional Government, through the Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and Food, reiterates its commitment to food security and the sustainability of the primary sector by modernising the Azores Agricultural Monitoring and Warning Network (RMAAA). In an island region characterised by its high biodiversity, this infrastructure plays a critical role in preventing pests and diseases, preserving ecosystems and ensuring the competitiveness of regional production. For the Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Food, António Ventura, “protecting plant health is about protecting agricultural production, farmers’ income and the balance of ecosystems.” The government official emphasised that strengthening the RMAAA enables “the sector to be better equipped in terms of preventing problems and having better tools to respond to current challenges, with more information, greater accuracy and greater sustainability.” Operated by the Regional Directorate for Agriculture, Veterinary Affairs and Food (DRAVA), the network is now a key infrastructure for integrated crop protection. Currently, the system comprises 105 Biological Observation Posts (BOP) and 55 Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) distributed throughout the archipelago. This technological network ensures continuous territorial coverage, contributing to the collection of vital climate data to feed into forecasting models, anticipating risks and tailoring technical recommendations to the specific microclimates of each island. All biological and meteorological information collected converges in real time on the RMAAA digital platform, which processes the data, generates alerts and issues warnings with specific recommendations. Hence, the network ensures that technical knowledge reaches farmers quickly and clearly, promoting an increasingly preventive and efficient action. The operation of this entire system is based on a collaborative model involving the Island Agrarian Development Services, associations and cooperatives, always in close coordination with the Azores Agricultural Federation. In addition to providing direct, daily support to farms, RMAAA plays a key role as the first line of defence in monitoring emerging and quarantine pests, and in ensuring coordination with national and European networks. “With this reinforcement, we are consolidating RMAAA as a strategic tool for knowledge, prevention and innovation, essential for tackling climate change and globalisation challenges,” stressed António Ventura. The Secretary for Agriculture reiterated the Government’s commitment to a response that “boosts productivity, reduces risks and safeguards the archipelago’s invaluable agricultural and environmental heritage.” Farmers and technicians interested in accessing the daily information produced by RMAAA can consult the agricultural warnings and advisories, and register for free on the official platform at https://avisos.agricultura.azores.gov.pt/.
Nota de Imprensa
March 31, 2026
Regional Government is investing over €190,000 in stepping up rodent control measures to protect farms
The Government of the Azores, through the Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and Food, is stepping up integrated rodent control measures across the archipelago, ensuring direct support to producers through the free provision of rodenticides, specialist training and ongoing technical advice. According to the Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Food, António Ventura, “protecting agriculture is about protecting the Azorean identity.” The government emphasised that controlling these pests “is not merely a technical measure; it is essential to safeguard farms, ensure the quality of produce and protect the daily efforts of farmers.” Managed by the Regional Directorate for Agriculture, Veterinary and Food (DRAVA), the current strategy involved the purchase of 42.1 tonnes of rodenticide, representing an overall investment of €191,619.86 (plus VAT). Approximately 21.1 tonnes are currently being distributed across all islands, continuing the first phase of deliveries (20.9 tonnes) that began in September 2025. The distribution of these products is carried out in a decentralised manner by the Agrarian Development Services – in some cases in partnership with local councils – to ensure maximum logistical efficiency. The quantity of product allocated to each producer is based on the declared agricultural areas, covering arable crops, fruit crops, horticultural crops and POSEI areas. From a scientific and technical standpoint, field operations make use of active substances such as brodifacoum and difethialone (second-generation anticoagulants). The effectiveness of these products is closely monitored by the Integrated Pest Management Committee – Rodents, which met on February 25, 2026, and confirmed that no resistance to these substances has been identified in the Region. Alongside material support, the Regional Secretariat has been investing in training human resources, promoting several training initiatives aimed at authorised operators and responsible technicians on the islands of São Miguel, Terceira, Faial and Flores. This effort is complemented by wide-ranging public awareness campaigns through the media (RTP Açores and Antena 1 Açores - television and radio stations), social media and the distribution of posters. “In an archipelago with such diverse circumstances, this strategy requires knowledge, coordination and a hands-on approach,” António Ventura stated, explaining the simultaneous focus on training, on-site monitoring and awareness raising. “Acting early and acting effectively makes all the difference. It is this shared commitment – between government departments, experts and farmers – that enables us to protect Azorean agriculture and ensure a more secure and sustainable future for all islands,” concluded the government official.
March 31, 2026
Regional Government is investing over €190,000 in stepping up rodent control measures to protect farms
The Government of the Azores, through the Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and Food, is stepping up integrated rodent control measures across the archipelago, ensuring direct support to producers through the free provision of rodenticides, specialist training and ongoing technical advice. According to the Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Food, António Ventura, “protecting agriculture is about protecting the Azorean identity.” The government emphasised that controlling these pests “is not merely a technical measure; it is essential to safeguard farms, ensure the quality of produce and protect the daily efforts of farmers.” Managed by the Regional Directorate for Agriculture, Veterinary and Food (DRAVA), the current strategy involved the purchase of 42.1 tonnes of rodenticide, representing an overall investment of €191,619.86 (plus VAT). Approximately 21.1 tonnes are currently being distributed across all islands, continuing the first phase of deliveries (20.9 tonnes) that began in September 2025. The distribution of these products is carried out in a decentralised manner by the Agrarian Development Services – in some cases in partnership with local councils – to ensure maximum logistical efficiency. The quantity of product allocated to each producer is based on the declared agricultural areas, covering arable crops, fruit crops, horticultural crops and POSEI areas. From a scientific and technical standpoint, field operations make use of active substances such as brodifacoum and difethialone (second-generation anticoagulants). The effectiveness of these products is closely monitored by the Integrated Pest Management Committee – Rodents, which met on February 25, 2026, and confirmed that no resistance to these substances has been identified in the Region. Alongside material support, the Regional Secretariat has been investing in training human resources, promoting several training initiatives aimed at authorised operators and responsible technicians on the islands of São Miguel, Terceira, Faial and Flores. This effort is complemented by wide-ranging public awareness campaigns through the media (RTP Açores and Antena 1 Açores - television and radio stations), social media and the distribution of posters. “In an archipelago with such diverse circumstances, this strategy requires knowledge, coordination and a hands-on approach,” António Ventura stated, explaining the simultaneous focus on training, on-site monitoring and awareness raising. “Acting early and acting effectively makes all the difference. It is this shared commitment – between government departments, experts and farmers – that enables us to protect Azorean agriculture and ensure a more secure and sustainable future for all islands,” concluded the government official.