22 December 2008
Maputo — Mozambique is set to reduce its wheat imports by 20 per cent over the next three years following the implementation of the government's "green revolution" strategy, according to a report in Monday's issue of the Maputo daily "Noticias".
To that end and for the first time, the government will promote wheat production on 11,000 hectares of land to be sown with wheat for the 2008/09 farming season..
Speaking during a staff meeting on wheat production, Mozambique's Agriculture Minister, Soares Nhaca, said that the Mozambican and Zimbabwean governments will soon sign a memorandum to ensure distribution of 1,000 thousand tons of wheat seeds of the 'Nduna' variety among local farmers.
Besides the supply of seeds, the authorities also decided to bring together all stakeholders in the wheat chain, on research, technical assistance to farmers, promotion of production, marketing and processing.
Current production of wheat in Mozambique stands at 3,000 tonnes, grown on the Angonia plateau in the western province of Tete, while total domestic demand is estimated at 472,000 tons.
Thus, Mozambique has to import the balance, about 469,000 tonnes, to meet domestic needs (mainly for bread in the urban areas)..
The government sees the 2008/09 agricultural year as the starting point for reversing Mozambique's wheat deficit. In 2009, the government expects farmers to cultivate 11,500 hectares of wheat, part of which will be used to produce seeds to support the following farming season when wheat production is expected to cover 29,875 hectares.
Records dating back to the colonial era show clearly that vast regions in Mozambique have a history of wheat production, such as the area surrounding the towns of Xai-Xai and Chókwè in the southern province of Gaza, the districts of Sussundenga and Manica in the central province of Manica, and Matama and Lichinga districts in the northern province of Niassa.
There is also evidence showing that wheat could be grown in other areas of Mozambique, such as Chemba and Beira in the central province of Sofala, Montepuez in Cabo Delgado and Matutuine in Maputo province.
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