China's farming ambitions in Mozambique take shape
Date: 20/11/2009
Introduction:
China is sending its farming expertise to Mozambique in a drive to increase the African country's agricultural productivity. The Chinese Agricultural Technology Research and Transfer Centre is being built close to the capital Maputo. It will open in early 2010. The centre's aim is to improve farming methods and yields through the training of Mozambican scientists and farmers. Chinese experts will introduce seeds from maize, rice, vegetables and fruit, and researchers will test them for climatic suitability to Mozambique. Animal husbandry will also come under scrutiny. The centre, funded with US$55 million, is the first of ten Africa-based agricultural technology centres promised in 2007 by Chinese president Hu Jintao. China has pledged to help modernise the Mozambican agricultural sector and aims to increase rice production five-fold, from 100,000 to 500,000 tonnes a year. Patricio Sande, president of the Scientific Research Association of Mozambique, says the centre will use scientific research to speed up agricultural development in Mozambique. It will complement the government's vision to transform agriculture into a productive, high-value market-oriented sector, he adds. Many of Mozambique's exports are agricultural products. (Source: Scidev.net, 11 November 2009)
