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Secretaria Regional da Agricultura e Alimentação
Genetic preservation of Ramo Grande breed further strengthened with new collection
Genetic preservation of Ramo Grande breed further strengthened with new collection
Secretaria Regional da Agricultura e Alimentação
Beekeeping sector growing in the Azores, highlights António Ventura
Beekeeping sector growing in the Azores, highlights António Ventura
Secretaria Regional da Agricultura e Alimentação
António Ventura defends recovery of native forest species for timber production
António Ventura defends recovery of native forest species for timber production
August 7, 2025
Genetic preservation of Ramo Grande breed further strengthened with new collection
August 5, 2025
Beekeeping sector growing in the Azores, highlights António Ventura
July 28, 2025
António Ventura defends recovery of native forest species for timber production
News
Nota de Imprensa
August 7, 2025
Genetic preservation of Ramo Grande breed further strengthened with new collection
The Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and Food, through the Regional Directorate for Agriculture, Veterinary and Food, and in collaboration with the Directorate-General for Food and Veterinary Affairs, carried out an important action for the collection and genetic conservation of the native Ramo Grande breed between July 21 and 25, 2025. This initiative, which had not been carried out for nearly a decade, ensured the cryopreservation of approximately 4,000 samples from carefully selected bulls, thereby strengthening the genetic base available under the breed's Conservation and Genetic Improvement Programme. With this operation, the Azorean Government reiterates its commitment to enhancing endogenous genetic resources and preserving animal biodiversity – fundamental pillars for sustainability, inbreeding control, and the resilience of the agricultural sector. The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Food, António Ventura, emphasises that "the Ramo Grande breed is an essential part of the genetic and cultural heritage of the Azores" and "its future requires vision, investment and coordinated action." He added: "This action is a decisive step in this strategy towards protection and development, ensuring that future generations can continue to count on this breed, which is emblematic of our agricultural history."
August 7, 2025
Genetic preservation of Ramo Grande breed further strengthened with new collection
The Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and Food, through the Regional Directorate for Agriculture, Veterinary and Food, and in collaboration with the Directorate-General for Food and Veterinary Affairs, carried out an important action for the collection and genetic conservation of the native Ramo Grande breed between July 21 and 25, 2025. This initiative, which had not been carried out for nearly a decade, ensured the cryopreservation of approximately 4,000 samples from carefully selected bulls, thereby strengthening the genetic base available under the breed's Conservation and Genetic Improvement Programme. With this operation, the Azorean Government reiterates its commitment to enhancing endogenous genetic resources and preserving animal biodiversity – fundamental pillars for sustainability, inbreeding control, and the resilience of the agricultural sector. The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Food, António Ventura, emphasises that "the Ramo Grande breed is an essential part of the genetic and cultural heritage of the Azores" and "its future requires vision, investment and coordinated action." He added: "This action is a decisive step in this strategy towards protection and development, ensuring that future generations can continue to count on this breed, which is emblematic of our agricultural history."
Nota de Imprensa
August 5, 2025
Beekeeping sector growing in the Azores, highlights António Ventura
The beekeeping sector in the Autonomous Region of the Azores has experienced significant growth in recent years. Over the past five years, the number of beekeepers has increased by approximately 7%, reaching a total of 462, while the number of bee colonies has risen by about 4%, totalling 8,053 colonies. According to the Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Food, António Ventura, "the beekeeping sector in the Azores is developing and all the honey produced always finds a market." "We have the only honey in the world produced from pittosporum blossoms," stressed the government official. He continued: "The existence of a dialogue between the various associations in the sector, the Azores Agricultural Federation and the Regional Government has led to progress and adjustments in public policies for beekeeping." There have been several regional incentives for honey production in the Azores, such as the inclusion of beekeeping in the "Agroacrescenta" programme, with support of up to 50%, increased by 5% for young farmers, the allocation of a supplement of 30 Euros per hive in production, and support for beekeepers in the agricultural diesel supply system since 2024. With a view to better adapting the legislation in force to the needs of beekeeping, the first amendment was introduced to the Regional Legislative Decree No. 24/2007/A of November 7, which establishes the legal framework for beekeeping as well as the production, processing and marketing of honey in the Region (Regional legislative Decree No. 17/2022/A). Additionally, forestry services across all islands have been distributing melliferous plants to municipal councils and planting them in public areas. Regarding wax sterilisation, two new wax moulding machines were purchased this year for the Agrarian Development Services of São Miguel and Terceira, an investment of 60 thousand Euros that will reduce the human resources required and increase wax quality. Last year, a machine for laminating drone wax was also purchased for the São Miguel Agrarian Development Service. Meanwhile, a genetic study of Azorean bees is underway with a view to identifying a native breed. As far as training is concerned, training courses were held in Terceira and São Miguel, focusing on active surveillance and control of the Asian hornet. In 2023, the Bio Forum promoted the Friendly Bee project on several islands, starting in 2022, and Beekeeping was included in the Farmer Training and Promotion of Literacy in Sustainable Production and Consumption Programme as part of the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP), with the implementation of several training initiatives.
August 5, 2025
Beekeeping sector growing in the Azores, highlights António Ventura
The beekeeping sector in the Autonomous Region of the Azores has experienced significant growth in recent years. Over the past five years, the number of beekeepers has increased by approximately 7%, reaching a total of 462, while the number of bee colonies has risen by about 4%, totalling 8,053 colonies. According to the Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Food, António Ventura, "the beekeeping sector in the Azores is developing and all the honey produced always finds a market." "We have the only honey in the world produced from pittosporum blossoms," stressed the government official. He continued: "The existence of a dialogue between the various associations in the sector, the Azores Agricultural Federation and the Regional Government has led to progress and adjustments in public policies for beekeeping." There have been several regional incentives for honey production in the Azores, such as the inclusion of beekeeping in the "Agroacrescenta" programme, with support of up to 50%, increased by 5% for young farmers, the allocation of a supplement of 30 Euros per hive in production, and support for beekeepers in the agricultural diesel supply system since 2024. With a view to better adapting the legislation in force to the needs of beekeeping, the first amendment was introduced to the Regional Legislative Decree No. 24/2007/A of November 7, which establishes the legal framework for beekeeping as well as the production, processing and marketing of honey in the Region (Regional legislative Decree No. 17/2022/A). Additionally, forestry services across all islands have been distributing melliferous plants to municipal councils and planting them in public areas. Regarding wax sterilisation, two new wax moulding machines were purchased this year for the Agrarian Development Services of São Miguel and Terceira, an investment of 60 thousand Euros that will reduce the human resources required and increase wax quality. Last year, a machine for laminating drone wax was also purchased for the São Miguel Agrarian Development Service. Meanwhile, a genetic study of Azorean bees is underway with a view to identifying a native breed. As far as training is concerned, training courses were held in Terceira and São Miguel, focusing on active surveillance and control of the Asian hornet. In 2023, the Bio Forum promoted the Friendly Bee project on several islands, starting in 2022, and Beekeeping was included in the Farmer Training and Promotion of Literacy in Sustainable Production and Consumption Programme as part of the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP), with the implementation of several training initiatives.