The Minister of Agriculture and Food said this Thursday in Maputo that Mozambique has the conditions to help meet Portugal’s grain import needs and asked Portuguese businessmen to invest in this sector in that country.
“It is clear that Mozambique not only has the production conditions to be self-sufficient, but also to provide assistance in certain sectors,” explained Minister Maria do Seu Antunes in a conversation with Lusa after meeting with some Portuguese businessmen in the sector operating in the African country .
“We are not self-sufficient in grain production, either for supply and human consumption, or for the production of feed or animal feed, which we have, and we will always have to import, although we still have stock. have the opportunity for internal growth. But the fact is that Mozambique can and must also contribute to this joint effort, and therefore it is from this point of view that we will work together,” the minister said.
The minister stressed that conditions are “very favorable for the development of agriculture” and agro-industrial activities in Mozambique, but which, according to the difficulties reported by Portuguese businessmen, still needs investment in logistics and transport chains, as well as financing.
“Increasing value, whether for domestic consumption or for export, but primarily for domestic consumption. And, therefore, this is the huge potential that the country has, and that, by improving logistics conditions, making financing conditions more attractive, will obviously activate this sector,” the minister emphasized.
Maria do Seu Antunes took part in Maputo on Wednesday in the first European Union-Mozambique investment forum, which aims to boost economic relations between the bloc and the African country through the Global Gateway initiative.
Recalling the global impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the two major armed conflicts currently taking place in Europe and the Middle East, the minister highlighted the potential of agriculture in Africa, especially in Mozambique, challenging Portuguese investors.
“It is clear that now is a good time to rethink and increase investment in Africa and in particular here in Mozambique, where I highlight the size of the country, climate and soil conditions, which are absolutely fundamental and conducive to agricultural development that enhances the transformation and thereby leaving value in this country,” he emphasized.
The minister also said that, as part of bilateral cooperation, Portugal is developing certification of the quality of Mozambican food products with Mozambique.
“This relates to food security, seeds, their conservation and multiplication, which are also factors contributing to the development of agricultural activities and agribusiness here in Mozambique and where, within the framework of the cooperation envisaged in the Strategic Cooperation Plan 2022-2026, Portugal is developing together with the state of Mozambique,” he concluded.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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