Maputo — Mozambican President Armando Guebuza on Tuesday swore into office the country's new Agriculture Minister, Soares Nhaca, and charged him with heading a "green revolution".

Nhaca, who was formerly Deputy Labour Minister, was appointed on Monday to replace Erasmo Muhate, who had held the post for less than ten months. Muhate was not present at the swearing-in ceremony.

Guebuza declared that the government wants to speed up a green revolution in the Mozambican countryside as part of the fight against hunger, and to create more jobs.

The aim of a green revolution, he stressed, was to ensure that the Mozambican people "can enjoy an increasingly better standard of living".

Guebuza said that Muhate had "lad the bases for reflection" on a green revolution. "We recognise the importance and the value of this reflection, and it will be of great use for his successor", he added.

The president said it was now up to Nhaca to lead the green revolution, and continue the various activities that would ensure its rapid success. It should promote self-esteem among Mozambicans and give them the confidence that they are capable of overcoming hunger and poverty.