Bioazórica’s Mónica Rocha calls for innovation, greater product diversification, and investment in young farmers, while warning that the reduction in organic milk production risks undermining one of the island’s pioneering agricultural sectors.
The Azores have considerable potential to expand organic agriculture, but transforming that potential into sustainable economic opportunities will require greater innovation, product diversification, and stronger cooperation between farmers, industry, and regional institutions, according to Mónica Rocha of the Bioazórica cooperative.
In an interview with Diário Insular, Rocha outlined the challenges and opportunities facing organic farming on Terceira Island ahead of the 18th Azores Organic Fair, scheduled for December 4–6 at the Parque Multissetorial da Ilha Terceira.
Returning after a six-year interruption, the fair will bring together producers, consumers, agricultural specialists, and community organizations to explore the future of organic agriculture and its contribution to the regional economy.
The event’s theme, “The Future Is Not Predicted. It Is Planted, Nourished, and Built,” reflects the cooperative’s determination to move beyond environmental awareness and promote concrete economic opportunities for local producers.
Rocha explained that although the area devoted to organic agriculture has expanded in recent years, production volumes and the availability of marketable products have not necessarily increased at the same pace.
“Organic agriculture has been growing in terms of cultivated area, but we also want it to grow in terms of products,” she said.
The cooperative wants farmers to explore opportunities to process their agricultural output into higher-value products, allowing them to reach new consumers and strengthen their financial sustainability.
“Across Europe, a wide variety of organic products have emerged precisely because the market demands them,” Rocha observed, adding that the Azores have the potential to participate more actively in that market.
The December fair will feature workshops, presentations, and activities addressing environmental sustainability, agricultural innovation, commercialization, and the importance of local markets.
It will also celebrate the islands’ cultural traditions and food heritage, with activities designed for different generations and opportunities to sample healthy dishes prepared with locally produced ingredients.
For Rocha, connecting agriculture with culture, tourism, and regional identity is essential to creating a sustainable future for the sector.
One of Bioazórica’s priorities is encouraging younger generations to consider organic agriculture as a viable professional career.
Rocha believes young farmers can play an important role in introducing new technologies, developing innovative products, and identifying opportunities that traditional agricultural models may have overlooked.
She emphasized that education, technical training, and access to reliable information are essential to helping producers make informed decisions and improve the profitability of their operations.
The cooperative also intends to highlight the Terceira Organic Region initiative, which promotes the island’s identity through sustainable agriculture, cultural heritage, and responsible tourism.
Rocha explained that internationally recognized organic regions can attract visitors interested not only in leisure activities but also in learning about local production methods, environmental practices, and community traditions.
She believes this approach can strengthen Terceira’s reputation as a destination committed to sustainability while creating additional opportunities for agricultural businesses.
However, the future of organic dairy production remains a particular concern.
Asked about the announced reduction in organic milk production on Terceira, Rocha questioned the industry’s decision to scale back investment in a sector in which the island had been a national pioneer.
She argued that the solution should involve developing higher-value dairy products, including organic cheese, butter, and yogurt, rather than focusing exclusively on milk production.
According to Rocha, producers remain interested in continuing organic dairy farming, but their economic viability depends on the willingness of processors and distributors to develop and market these products.
She acknowledged that the dairy industry has expressed doubts about market demand but maintained that national and European market trends suggest opportunities remain.
“There is a market, although the industry says there isn’t,” she stated.
Rocha suggested that improved marketing strategies, access to additional markets, and greater product diversification could help sustain organic dairy production.
The Terceira Organic Milk Producers Association and its members, she said, remain committed to a product that helped establish the island’s reputation in Portuguese organic agriculture.
For Bioazórica, abandoning that experience would represent a missed opportunity to build upon years of agricultural development and expertise.
Rocha also acknowledged the economic pressures facing consumers, particularly inflation and the rising cost of living.
As households become more price-conscious, organic products can face additional challenges in competing with conventional alternatives.
She argued that increasing production and improving distribution could eventually help make organic food more accessible, although such changes require time and sustained investment.
Despite these difficulties, Rocha remains confident in Terceira’s agricultural potential.
She pointed to successful experiences involving organic milk, meat, strawberries, and other products as evidence that organic farming can be developed across several agricultural sectors.
She also highlighted agritourism as an area with significant opportunities, noting that existing projects on the island demonstrate how agricultural production can be combined with tourism and visitor experiences.
For the cooperative, the challenge is to connect these activities into a broader strategy that supports farmers, strengthens local markets, and creates additional sources of income.
Rocha stressed that technical assistance must accompany this development. Producers need practical guidance on improving productivity, making efficient use of available land, introducing new activities, and adding value to their products.
She welcomed the growing involvement of agricultural technicians and public services in developing specialized knowledge of organic production.
Ultimately, Rocha believes the future of organic agriculture on Terceira will depend on cooperation, training, and a willingness to innovate.
The upcoming Organic Fair, she hopes, will provide an opportunity to bring those elements together and demonstrate that sustainable farming can become an increasingly important part of the island’s economic development.
“We have to join forces and find our own path,” she concluded.
Source: Diário Insular, November 13, 2026. Based on an interview with Mónica Rocha of the Bioazórica cooperative. Adapted and prepared as an English-language news report for Novidades. The photo is also from DI.