More than 3,200 children from schools across São Miguel gathered at the Santana Fairgrounds this week to celebrate Portugal’s National Agriculture Day, transforming the island’s agricultural exhibition grounds into one of the largest educational events dedicated to farming in the country. The initiative brought together students, educators, farmers, and political leaders in a celebration of agriculture’s central role in Azorean society.

Speaking at the event, Jorge Rita, President of the São Miguel Agricultural Association and the Azores Agricultural Federation, described the gathering as a unique achievement not only in the Azores but also in Portugal and possibly Europe.

“This is a remarkable moment,” Rita said, emphasizing the significance of bringing together thousands of children in a single space dedicated to learning about agriculture, livestock, biodiversity, and rural life.

At the same time, Rita used the occasion to highlight the challenges currently facing the agricultural sector. He criticized what he described as unequal treatment by both the Portuguese government and European institutions, arguing that national support measures frequently exclude farmers in the Azores and Madeira.

“When support programs are announced for Portuguese agriculture, it makes no sense for Azorean and Madeiran farmers to be left out,” he stated, calling for greater fairness and equal access to assistance programs.

Luís Mira, Secretary-General of the Confederation of Portuguese Farmers (CAP), praised the event as an important educational initiative that introduces children to agriculture, nature, forests, animals, and biodiversity. He argued that such experiences should become a regular component of school curricula throughout Portugal.

According to Mira, encouraging future generations to consider careers in agriculture begins with exposing young people to the realities of farming. He also stressed that attracting new farmers requires a profitable and competitive agricultural sector, warning that rising fuel and fertilizer costs continue to place enormous pressure on producers.

Mira further criticized the exclusion of the Azores and Madeira from certain national support measures, saying that farmers cannot wait for political indecision while they continue the daily work of producing food and sustaining rural communities.

Also addressing the gathering was José Manuel Bolieiro, who highlighted the scale and success of the Azorean celebration. Bolieiro noted that the islands host what he described as the largest National Agriculture Day celebration in Portugal and possibly one of the largest in the European Union.

The Regional Government President emphasized that agriculture remains deeply connected to Azorean identity and culture and argued that national agricultural policies should fully include the islands. Excluding the Azores from measures designed to offset rising production costs, he said, is both unreasonable and unfair.

Throughout the day, the event served not only as a celebration of farming but also as a reminder of the sector’s importance to the economic, cultural, and social fabric of the Azores. For thousands of children, it was an opportunity to experience firsthand the land, animals, and traditions that continue to shape island life. For agricultural leaders, it was also a platform to advocate for equal treatment and recognition for Azorean farmers within Portugal and the European Union.

Translated and adapted from a story by Diogo Simões Pires in Correio dos Açores-Natalino Viveiros, director