Secretário permanente do Ministério da Indústria e Comércio, Jorge Jairoce (a direita) e representante da Agência das Nações Unidas para o Desenvolvimento Industrial em Moçambique, Jaime Muniz, assinam memorando de entendimento
Maputo, 7 Mar (AIM) – The Italian government, through its Cooperation Agency, has pledged to disburse around four million Euros (4.4 million US dollars) for implementation of a project aimed at boosting agricultural activity, over the next three years, in the central Mozambican province of Manica, as well as the northern province of Cabo Delgado.
The project, named Improvement of the Inclusive and Sustainable Development of Agricultural Value Chains (Mais Valor II), will be implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Agency (UNIDO).
It also aims to support the government’s efforts to structurally transform the development of agro-industry and value chains in Manica and Cabo Delgado.
To this end, a memorandum of understanding has been signed between the Mozambican Ministry of Industry and Trade (MIC) and UNIDO.
The agreement allows for the exchange of information and coordination in carrying out joint monitoring activities in the implementation of project activities.
According to the permanent secretary in the Ministry, Jorge Jairoce, the project will focus on the production of fruit and vegetables in Manica and coffee in Cabo Delgado.
“This project will focus on promoting the added value of agricultural products and improving the performance of agro-processing of fruit and vegetables, coffee and cereals”, he said.
Jairoce believes that the terrorism that has been plaguing some districts of Cabo Delgado will not make the programme non-viable.
“You have to understand that not all of Cabo Delgado province is in a critical military situation. We think this project will help stabilize the economic and social situation of the people who live there”, he said.
“There is enormous potential on Ibo Island from the point of view of natural conditions for coffee production and this has to be maximized. Obviously, the level of production will be accompanied by security measures that are being implemented throughout the province”, he added.
For his part, the UNIDO representative in Mozambique, Jaime Muniz, said the programme will contribute to boosting agro-processing in the country.
“We hope that with the formalization of the Mais Valor II Programme, we can contribute to agro-processing and the empowerment of small and medium-sized companies in the area of fruit and vegetables and coffee and find creative ways to strengthen youth employment opportunities”, he said.
The first phase of the Mais Valor programme, “Mais Valor I”, was under the tutelage of the Ministry of Agriculture and was focused on coffee growing in Cabo Delgado, especially on Ibo Island.
This time, the Programme has been extended to fruit, vegetables and coffee production in Manica.
(AIM)
CC/Ad/pf (427)
