TERCEIRA | Support under LEADER “has contributed to improving the quality of life in rural areas”

The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Rural Development highlighted today that the interventions to be carried out through the LEADER project, under the Strategic Plan of the Common Agricultural Policy (PEPAC), “have contributed to improving the quality of life in rural areas, both for farmers’ families and the population, using a global approach to solve the problems of these areas.”

António Ventura spoke on the sidelines of a visit to the Queijaria Pimentel (cheese production unit), a project supported under the PRORURAL + programme, which consisted of the expansion of the existing complex to install the respective cheese production unit, with support amounting to about 105 thousand Euros.

“With this project, the promoter built a new brand/product, promoted the creation of one job and also contributed to the increase in the tourism sector, which values local products,” he emphasised.

“The implementation of Local Development Strategies has proven to be a very useful instrument in the creation of employment opportunities for the local population, the promotion of tourism in these territories, the creation of complementary activities to agricultural production, the protection of the environment and the rural landscape, and the production of basic and essential services for the establishments of the populations in the target territories,” stressed the Regional Secretary.

As measures provided for in PEPAC, António Ventura highlighted the “premium for the installation of rural companies, which is intended to grant a non-refundable premium for the start-up of companies in rural areas, so as to contribute to the establishment of young people in rural areas as well as to reduce the unemployment rate and the desertification of these areas.”

“The premium will be granted for a period of three years with decreasing amounts in order to leverage the business with minimal associated risk,” the Regional Secretary said, adding that the overall premium to be awarded will be set at €18,000.00, with €10,000 granted in the first year, €5,000 in the second years and €3,000 in the third year.

“In the present programming period 2023-2027, local development strategies encompass interventions related to investment support in the creation and development of non-agricultural activities in basic services that respond to the needs of rural populations,” said the government official.