AICS to disburse 200 million meticais for agricultural project

Chimoio (Mozambique), 4 Jul (AIM) – The Italian Development Cooperation Agency (AICS) will disburse 200 million meticais (3.1 million US dollars, at the current exchange rate) to support a project aimed at developing agriculture and a commercial value chain between Mozambique and Zimbabwe.

The project, which will run for four years, will be implemented in the central Mozambican province of Manica and Zimbabwean regions identified as having agricultural potential.

In Mozambique, the initiative will be implemented by the Ministry of Economy and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Fund (FAO).

The announcement was made on Thursday, in the Manica provincial capital, Chimoio, during a meeting between delegations from Mozambique and Zimbabwe.

According to the Manica provincial governor, Francisca Tomás, the project will serve as a tool for regional integration, and it will positively affect the lives of the people of both countries. “We expect concrete results and to attract more investment to the two countries. It is an instrument for regional integration, institutional capacity building and the enhancement of rural communities”, she said.

Tomas guaranteed that the project would be implemented as quickly and effectively as possible. “I’m convinced that the project will strengthen trade relations and develop the agricultural sector in both countries”, she said. “We believe that there will also be an improvement in food security and the promotion of economic growth, through the harmonization of value chains and market access”.

Tomas added that Manica is a very fertile province and suitable for farming. “We have enviable potential and we have faith that we will contribute significantly to making this project a real success. It will have a direct impact on the lives of the people of Mozambique and of Zimbabwe.”

(AIM)
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