According to data from the Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and Food (SRAL), the production area of corn for silage hit a new record in the Azores in 2023, currently standing at 14,305 hectares (ha), compared to 12,710 ha in 2018. This is an increase of 1,595 ha, which corresponds to a growth of 12.5%.
“This growth signifies a strategic direction in the productive sustainability of Azorean agriculture, translates into greater security in the availability of food for animals, reduces production costs, makes the Azores less volatile to fluctuations in world prices for raw materials and ensures an image of a green and sustainable region,” according to Secretary António Ventura.
According to Ventura, the growth in corn acreage in the Azores is the result of public policies, in cooperation with the Azores Agricultural Federation, “which include support for the purchase of corn seeds, support for biodiverse pastures and professional training to raise awareness of local production.”
António Ventura believes that “this increase in the area of corn for silage, coupled with the recognition of our animal welfare and our soils, makes the Azores a world reference region for its sustainable agricultural practices” and that “the agri-food products that result from this are unique, which is why there has been an increase in community qualifications for PDO – Protected Designation of Origin and PGI – Protected Geographical Indication.”

According to the minister, the Azores are also “territorially authenticating what they produce because the method of production, the territory, and its geographical position continue to be our greatest asset and market ally.”
“This reduced dependence on external sources also improves the concept of the naturalness of our agri-foodstuffs, which takes on a new generation competitiveness factor. A factor of commercial and social competitiveness,” said Ventura in a note sent to the DI newspaper in Angra do Heroísmo.
He added that the goal is to “progressively gain the path of animal production food stability,” which is “wealth for the Azores and always food security through milk and meat, for the food supply of the Azoreans.”

In Diário Insular newspaper-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, PBBI thanks Luso Financial for sponsoring NOVIDADES.