Monday, 20 July 2009

Mozambique's rice production has risen this year, a situation which bodes well for the nations food security. The country's rice output has risen to 260,000 tonnes this year, from the 190,000 tonnes last year.
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Mozambique's rice production is on the increase

Mozambique is aiming at producing about 400,000 tonnes a year, with the government hoping to become completely self-sufficient through rice production within three years, and cut its imports of the crop by 2011.

Last year Provincial director for agriculture of the Mozambican province Momed Vala was quoted as saying that rice production this season would rise to a total of 200,000 tonnes.

Mozambique, one of the poorest nations in Africa, depends on agriculture for its economic security.

The country's Agriculture Minister Soares Nhaca said rice production had grown due to the use of improved seed and machinery support for farmers.

Nhaca said that Mozambique was investing heavily in the purchase of quality seeds and agriculture machinery in regions regarded as potentially productive, particularly in central parts of the country.

Mozambique's increase in rice output comes barely a few days after the United States Agency for International Development launched their $20 million agro-business project, aimed at improving the agriculture sector in the country.

Former U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan recently also sought the support of Japan and other rice producing countries to achieve a goal of doubling rice output in Africa by 2018. He said sustainable production of rice would help ease hunger and poverty in the continent.

Many African countries have relied on Maize as their staple food crop, but rice seems a better crop for feeding a continent in which food security is a big issue.

Nigeria, Egypt and Madagascar are among the leading rice farming nations in Africa.

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