The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Rural Development announced that between today (October 27) and November 15, Azorean farmers will receive more than 50 million euros from the POSEI and PRORURAL programs.
More than 30 million euros in POSEI aid is scheduled to be paid out today for suckler and dairy cows, cattle slaughter premiums, milk producer premiums, and assistance for the inter-island transportation of young cattle.
On November 15, around 20 million euros will be paid under PRORURAL, relating to the maintenance of agricultural activity in disadvantaged areas, organic farming, and livestock extensification.
According to Secretary António Ventura, all payments, both under POSEI and PRORURAL, will be made without apportionments. This means that each farmer will receive all the money to which they are entitled.
Farm payment packages, like other payments, are in arrears, which has already led the Azores Agricultural Federation to protest publicly.
At stake are not only the payments that will now be made but also funds intended for the Azorean agricultural associations, which have already assumed the possibility of laying off employees if the funds in question are not paid shortly.
A large part of the services the associations provide is supported by regional funds that are transferred under ordinances. According to the Agricultural Federation of the Azores, the ordinances are overdue. Payments for March have still not been made.

in Diário Insular, José Lourenço-director

Translated to English as a community outreach program from the Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute (PBBI) and the Modern and Classical Languages and Cultures Department (MCLL) as part of Bruma Publication and ADMA (Azores-Diaspora Media Alliance)  at California State University, Fresno.