Agricultural Secretary of State, Miguel Freitas, opened the Aljezur sweet potato festival and announced a €30 million to help farmers who have a turnover of less that €30,000.
The Government is preparing to present a "package of measures to support small farmers," announced Freitas in response to local mayor, José Amarelinho’s call for more help for small farmers who cultivate high quality products, such as the now-famous Aljezur sweet potato.
Miguel Freitas added that this year there will be a Young Rural Entrepreneur award chosen from those farmers who have an alternative income as their farms are too small to provide a living income.
The secretary of state once was the Algarve’s Regional Director of Agriculture, as well as a being a professor at the University of the Algarve.
“Agriculture is very important in protecting our rural areas such as forests," with Freitas praising Lagos, Aljezur and Vila do Bispo councils which have been forced to fund their own teams of forestry workers, due to a lack of government policy and support, -"Let's replicate this example across the country," said the politician, without mentioning who would be paying for the measure.
