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Secretaria Regional da Agricultura e Alimentação
Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and Food strengthens agricultural infrastructure on Flores Island
Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and Food strengthens agricultural infrastructure on Flores Island
Secretaria Regional da Agricultura e Alimentação
António Ventura reviews hunting season, highlighting sustainable species management and stricter enforcement
António Ventura reviews hunting season, highlighting sustainable species management and stricter enforcement
Secretaria Regional da Agricultura e Alimentação
Azores increase reforested area and step up active management of forest ecosystems
Azores increase reforested area and step up active management of forest ecosystems
July 11, 2026
Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and Food strengthens agricultural infrastructure on Flores Island
March 24, 2026
António Ventura reviews hunting season, highlighting sustainable species management and stricter enforcement
January 27, 2026
Azores increase reforested area and step up active management of forest ecosystems
News
Nota de Imprensa
July 11, 2026
Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and Food strengthens agricultural infrastructure on Flores Island
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.
July 11, 2026
Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and Food strengthens agricultural infrastructure on Flores Island
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.
Nota de Imprensa
March 24, 2026
António Ventura reviews hunting season, highlighting sustainable species management and stricter enforcement
The Government of the Azores, through the Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and Food, has released the final figures for the 2025/2026 hunting season. The data was presented during a visit to the Chã da Macela Hunting Post in the municipality of Lagoa. According to the Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Food, António Ventura, the results demonstrate “responsible and sustainable management of natural resources, marked by business-as-usual activities, safety and enhanced monitoring.” This report reflects hunting activity across all islands of the archipelago, with hunting quotas adjusted to reflect population levels and the specific characteristics of each territory. Although hunting pressure remained broadly similar to that of the previous season, the Regional Government implemented technically justified and targeted adjustments. These include an increase in the number of days allocated for hunting wild rabbits on the islands of São Miguel, Faial and Flores, justified by the high abundance of the species, and the ban on hunting the common snipe on the islands of São Miguel, Terceira and Faial, in response to the observed decline in breeding populations. By the end of the season, the Regional Directorate for Forest Resources and Spatial Planning had issued 2,011 hunting licences, corresponding to 1,896 individual hunters. Out of this total, 1,905 licences were issued to residents and 106 to non-residents, consistent with the average registered over the last decade. The island of São Miguel accounted for the highest number of licences (924), followed by Terceira (371), Faial (162), Pico (138), São Jorge (117), Santa Maria (83), Flores (69) and Graciosa (41). The attractiveness for non-resident hunters was particularly high on Pico (23.2% of licences), São Jorge (18%), Graciosa (9.8%) and Terceira (9.4%). Between July 1, 2025, and February 28, 2026, the Forestry Services carried out 218 enforcement operations, totalling 1,087 hours of operation and 770 on-site inspections. Only eight offences were reported (mainly related to hunting outside permitted hours, failing to carry required documents, and hunting in forbidden areas), demonstrating a high level of compliance with the rules among hunters. During these surveys, 421 hunters (22.2% of those licensed for this season) were interviewed, with the majority expressing satisfaction with the current system: 60.1% believe that hunting seasons should remain unchanged, and 74.9% support maintaining the daily bag limits. In the coming months, the Regional Government will analyse population monitoring indicators, culling results and requests for density adjustments. This scientific data, combined with consultations with hunting associations, farmers and environmental organisations, will serve as the basis for the 2026/2027 hunting season, which begins on July 1. “The joint efforts of hunters, experts and partner organisations are strengthening the resilience of the Region and preparing the islands for future challenges,” stated António Ventura. The government official concluded by reiterating that “commitment to and respect for nature remain the foundation for ensuring balanced ecosystems and hunting practices aligned with sustainability.”
March 24, 2026
António Ventura reviews hunting season, highlighting sustainable species management and stricter enforcement
The Government of the Azores, through the Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and Food, has released the final figures for the 2025/2026 hunting season. The data was presented during a visit to the Chã da Macela Hunting Post in the municipality of Lagoa. According to the Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Food, António Ventura, the results demonstrate “responsible and sustainable management of natural resources, marked by business-as-usual activities, safety and enhanced monitoring.” This report reflects hunting activity across all islands of the archipelago, with hunting quotas adjusted to reflect population levels and the specific characteristics of each territory. Although hunting pressure remained broadly similar to that of the previous season, the Regional Government implemented technically justified and targeted adjustments. These include an increase in the number of days allocated for hunting wild rabbits on the islands of São Miguel, Faial and Flores, justified by the high abundance of the species, and the ban on hunting the common snipe on the islands of São Miguel, Terceira and Faial, in response to the observed decline in breeding populations. By the end of the season, the Regional Directorate for Forest Resources and Spatial Planning had issued 2,011 hunting licences, corresponding to 1,896 individual hunters. Out of this total, 1,905 licences were issued to residents and 106 to non-residents, consistent with the average registered over the last decade. The island of São Miguel accounted for the highest number of licences (924), followed by Terceira (371), Faial (162), Pico (138), São Jorge (117), Santa Maria (83), Flores (69) and Graciosa (41). The attractiveness for non-resident hunters was particularly high on Pico (23.2% of licences), São Jorge (18%), Graciosa (9.8%) and Terceira (9.4%). Between July 1, 2025, and February 28, 2026, the Forestry Services carried out 218 enforcement operations, totalling 1,087 hours of operation and 770 on-site inspections. Only eight offences were reported (mainly related to hunting outside permitted hours, failing to carry required documents, and hunting in forbidden areas), demonstrating a high level of compliance with the rules among hunters. During these surveys, 421 hunters (22.2% of those licensed for this season) were interviewed, with the majority expressing satisfaction with the current system: 60.1% believe that hunting seasons should remain unchanged, and 74.9% support maintaining the daily bag limits. In the coming months, the Regional Government will analyse population monitoring indicators, culling results and requests for density adjustments. This scientific data, combined with consultations with hunting associations, farmers and environmental organisations, will serve as the basis for the 2026/2027 hunting season, which begins on July 1. “The joint efforts of hunters, experts and partner organisations are strengthening the resilience of the Region and preparing the islands for future challenges,” stated António Ventura. The government official concluded by reiterating that “commitment to and respect for nature remain the foundation for ensuring balanced ecosystems and hunting practices aligned with sustainability.”