Agricultural Policies Applied to Integrated Fruit Production in Beira Interior: The Case Study of The Stone Fruits Sector in Cova da Beira

Abstract

In this article, is made an assessment to the amount invested through the implementation of the Rural Development Program (PRODER) in the period 2007-2013, in the evolution of the fruit area in integrated production mode in the Beira Interior region, emphasizing and highlighting the stone fruits sector in Cova da Beira. To achieve this goal, the following methodology was adopted: (1) bibliographical and documentary analysis for theoretical framework and contextualization of the study object; (2) analysis of the basic information of the PRODER’s, Information System (SI PRODER) to identify and characterise the operations included in the requests for support presented in the period 2007-2012. In Beira Interior, the total orchard area under PRODER  was  2,512  ha,  corresponding  to  an investment of 45,001,711€ of which 62.7% corresponds to interventions carried out in orchards in integrated production mode. Of the total area under intervention, 53.1% corresponds to stone fruits orchards (1,335 ha), with a total investment of 13,911,729€. These stone fruits orchards are mainly located in NUT III Cova da Beira, corresponding to 1,129 ha, that is, 84% of the stone fruits area of Beira Interior.