Biodiverse pastures, composed of mixed species of legumes and grasses, have now surpassed 1,500 hectares in implemented area, according to the Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Food.

“These pastures, which already exceed 1,500 hectares across the region, represent an economic, social, and environmental asset. They are essential to strengthening cattle farming and ensuring the quality of our milk and meat. This is a commitment by the Government of the Azores to a more resilient, innovative, and environmentally responsible agricultural future,” said the Regional Secretary for Agriculture, António Ventura, in a press statement.

In 2021, the Azorean government introduced an incentive program to encourage the establishment of biodiverse pastures, a measure aligned with its broader strategy to promote environmental and productive sustainability within the regional agricultural sector.

According to the Secretary for Agriculture, by integrating a variety of legume and grass species, these pastures enhance the soil’s natural fertility, increase forage productivity, and reduce dependence on fertilizers and pesticides. They also contribute to carbon sequestration, water and soil conservation, and the strengthening of biodiversity, including support for pollinators such as bees.

Ventura further emphasized that for producers, these pastures offer greater production stability, lower costs, and improved quality of animal feed, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of the region’s cattle industry.

He also noted that in 2024, for the first time, beekeepers became eligible to apply under the program, with the goal of promoting pollinator nutrition—particularly for bees—and further reinforcing biodiversity.

“Investment in biodiverse pastures represents a decisive step toward strengthening the sustainability of the Azorean agricultural sector. By promoting the use of legume seeds, we are improving soil fertility, increasing farm productivity, and reducing dependence on external production inputs,” António Ventura stressed.

In Diário Insular, José Lourenço-director.

Translated into English as a community outreach program by the Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute (PBBI) and the Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures Department (MCLL), in collaboration with Bruma Publication and ADMA (Azores-Diaspora Media Alliance) at California State University, Fresno. PBBI thanks Luso Financial for sponsoring NOVIDADES.