Government of the Azores allocates 133.7 million for agriculture in 2027

O Government of the Azores allocates EUR 133.7 million (ME) for agriculture in 2027 to increase regional production, strengthen farmers' incomes and create conditions for more modern, sustainable and competitive agriculture.

“The Plan and Budget for 2027 presents a regional effort of EUR 53.8 million, to which, if we add EUR 20.3 million from the other funds and EUR 59.6 million from Community funds, totals EUR 133.7 million,” said António Ventura, Regional Secretary of Agriculture and Food today, during a hearing at the Regional Assembly’s Economics Commission meeting in Horta, on Faial Island.

The holder of the folder for Agriculture and Food was heard by Members on the proposals for Regional Government Plan and Budget (PSD/CDS-PP/PPM) for next year, which will be discussed and voted on this month in parliament.

According to the governor, the funds allocated to the agricultural sector aim to “progressively increase” the region’s agri-food production and security “in terms of food availability to its citizens”.

In this sense, the POSEI programme has an increase of 13% over 2026, “with an amount of EUR 21.8 million to ensure continuity of support without any cuts, as before”.

Support for investment in agricultural holdings, young farmers, forestry areas and the LEADER programme amounts to EUR 25.8 million, with an increase of 50%, equivalent to an additional EUR 8.7 million compared to the previous year.

This reinforcement aims to stimulate the modernisation of farms, promote generational renewal and strengthen the industry's capacity to respond to economic, environmental and productive challenges, he said.

António Ventura explained to regional MPs that investment in agricultural infrastructure also takes on a relevant dimension, with EUR 21 million for the improvement of agricultural, rural and forestry paths, water supply and agricultural electrification, “creating better conditions for the exercise of agricultural activity in all islands”.

The plan also provides EUR 4.9 million for Community projects under the LIFE and Azores 2030 programmes and includes new actions related to precision agriculture, digitisation, food nutrition, food waste and the internationalization of dairy products, among other areas.

There are also interventions aimed at the specific and productive potential of the islands, including the experimentation of legumes in Graciosa, the productive diversity of the fajãs of São Jorge, the protection, classification and promotion of olive groves and olives of Porto Martins and the recovery of the fig tree culture on the island of Pico.

In scientific research, the support and diagnosis of soil fertility will be continued, in relation to tea, in the phytosanitary improvement of traditional vine varieties, in the development of planting and in vitro multiplication of banana and proteas, among others.

In the environmental sphere, sustainability, organic farming and agroforestry have EUR 17.6 million, 36% more than in 2026.

“There are new actions taking into account the new needs, starting immediately in the promotion of the internalization of dairy products in the Azores, but also in the promotion of milk as a raw material and as a drink”, he concluded.

The pre-proposal for the Azores Plan for 2027 provides for an overall investment of EUR 1,057 million, EUR 650 million of the Regional Government’s “direct responsibility”.

The discussion and vote on the Plan and Budget of the Azores for 2027 will take place in November at the Regional Legislative Assembly, in the city of Horta, on the island of Faial.