Sofala Resumes Cotton Production With USD 2.3 Million Investment
Maputo, 25 Jan (AIM) – The central Mozambican province of Sofala has recently resumed cotton production with the entry of Mandolra Investimentos Limitada, which will invest 150 million meticais (2.3 million dollars, at the current exchange rate) as part of the 2022-2023 agricultural campaign.
Mandolra Investimentos Limitada is a Mozambican operator, which is replacing China Africa Cotton, which declared bankruptcy two years ago.
According to the director of the Provincial Economic Activities Services, Angela Dista, cited in Wednesday’s issue of the Maputo daily “Notícias”, the current operator was approved after entering into negotiations with its predecessor for the acquisition of cotton that was still in farmers’ hands. This cotton was valued at seven million meticais.
“We encourage farmers to increase production. The government is making efforts so that the production of this crop is not forgotten. We ask for everyone’s support so that the results are achieved”, said Dista.
For her part, the director of Mandolra Investments Limited, Silvia Mathe, said that her company has technological kits ready for farmers. It will distribute cotton seeds, as well as market the raw cotton.
“The company will immediately invest in the value chain of this crop”, Mathe said, adding that her company does not have a processing unit in Sofala, and must resort to the district of Guro, in the neighbouring province of Manica to process the cotton.
At this moment, the company works with 9,000 farmers in Sofala, and it expects to produce 6,000 tonnes this year, which will be mainly exported to South Africa and China.
(AIM)
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