Rigorous knowledge of the territory, protection of agricultural land, combating abandonment and property fragmentation, and generational renewal have been identified as crucial challenges for Madeira's agricultural future. These points were discussed in a debate organized by the Madeira Region of the Order of Engineers.
Ilídio Sousa, regional director of Land Management, emphasized the need for accurate territorial information for any agricultural policy, highlighting the upcoming creation of the Territory Observatory to centralize scattered data. Francisco Albuquerque, from Madeira Wine Company, pointed to the aging rural population and the difficulty in attracting young people as economic obstacles, advocating for making agricultural activity more appealing.
The discussion also covered the importance of integrating agriculture, forestry, and territorial planning, and presented experiences in reclaiming abandoned land for specialized activities like tea production, underscoring challenges related to investment and technical expertise.
