Portugal’s Minister of Agriculture has called for greater European funding through regional operational programmes to support agricultural investment, describing the sector as strategic to economic development and territorial cohesion.
During a visit to the Maporal pork production facility in Reguengos de Monsaraz, in the Évora district, José Manuel Fernandes outlined the financial instruments available to the sector and stressed that Regional Coordination and Development Commissions (CCDRs) must also contribute.
“I cannot accept that, from 2021 to 2027, the Alentejo region will have €1.1 billion and, if you ask how much was allocated to agriculture, the answer is zero,” the minister said during a reception at the company, attended by the president and two vice-presidents of the Alentejo CCDR.
Fernandes acknowledged that the CCDRs are already incorporating support for agro-industry into existing programmes but argued that agriculture must receive greater consideration in the next European funding framework.
Speaking to journalists after the visit, he confirmed that the commissions are working to include agriculture, agro-industry and processing activities in their operational programmes.
Agriculture seen as key to regional competitiveness
“How do these territories achieve competitiveness? How do they achieve territorial cohesion? In agriculture, without realising it, because there is no such perception, we have several ‘AutoEuropas’,” he said, referring to the economic importance of the sector.
The minister criticised the previous Socialist Party government for excluding agriculture from regional operational plans, while highlighting cooperation between the current ministries responsible for agriculture, territorial cohesion, the economy and the environment.
“Agriculture is strategic and fundamental,” Fernandes said, adding that all available financial resources are being used to support investment projects in the sector.
Agricultural subsidies increase in Serpa
The minister also responded to an open letter from APROSERPA, the Association of Producers of the Municipality of Serpa, concerning his recent statements about agricultural subsidies.
According to Fernandes, farmers in Serpa received almost €7 million in subsidies in 2023, compared with €28 million in 2025.
“I said it was triple, but it turns out to be quadruple,” he stated.
The minister was referring to comments made on Monday in Arcos de Valdevez, in the Viana do Castelo district, when he suggested that farmers whose income had tripled were among the most vocal critics.
However, Fernandes acknowledged that the distribution of subsidies varies significantly between farmers, as European funding rules largely determine payments according to agricultural land area rather than actual production.
“In some places, mainly due to the area, they received four times as much. In other areas they received nothing and even produce more, but that’s due to European rules, which don’t always take into account what the actual production is,” he explained.
In an open letter sent to the Lusa news agency, APROSERPA challenged the minister to identify which farmers had experienced a tripling of income.
The association argued that agricultural producers are instead facing rising operating costs and questioned whether increased subsidy payments accurately reflect their financial situation.