Angola — The Angolan Government has announced its intention to adapt agricultural production rates to match the country’s demographic growth. The goal is to ensure more accessible food supplies for the population.
According to a new release by the Angola Press News Agency, the information was disclosed by Minister Francisco Assis at the opening of the Advisory Council of the Ministry of Finance on Thursday. Assis emphasized the need for hard work to achieve the production targets set for the coming years, with the aim of strengthening food security through the promotion of agricultural activities.
The minister revealed that Angola saw a 5.6 percent increase in national production during the 2021/22 agricultural campaign compared to the previous year. He also stated that Angola expects to reach an agricultural production of over 24,793,275 tons of various products in 2022. Several agricultural projects are currently underway to bolster the resilience of family farmers and develop commercial agriculture, contributing to increased national production.
Further, the minister reiterated the country’s commitment to grain production and the promotion of animal production value chains. This involves the construction and rehabilitation of dams and irrigated areas in regions such as Cunene, Huíla, Cuanza Sul, and Benguela. Assis also highlighted ongoing programs aimed at promoting poultry, goat, and pig farming, as well as infrastructure support initiatives like the Biodiversity Center for animal vaccine production in the province of Huambo.
Additionally, the minister announced Executive actions aimed at forest protection and reforestation, including the construction of three forest warehouses in the provinces of Benguela, Moxico, and Cabinda to stimulate wood production and commercialization.
The acting governor of Malanje, Angelino Quissonde, said that 60 percent of the province’s budget is allocated to agriculture in an effort to combat hunger and poverty. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is supporting this plan through the financing of youth business initiatives, cooperatives, and peasant associations.
The Advisory Council aims to discuss various topics concerning the country’s agricultural and livestock sector, such as technical assistance, rural extension, seed production prospects, and the formalization of agricultural and livestock activities.