Mozambique’s Minister of Agriculture, Jose Pacheco, announced on Thursday in Maputo that Mozambique will resume seed production as from the next agricultural campaign (2011/2012).This is essentially an initiative to revive the defunct state company Sementes de Mocambique (SEMOC – Seeds of Mozambique), which counts on support from India. “We intend to relaunch seed production for all basic foodstuffs, such as maize, cassava, vegetables, and rice”, said Pacheco, speaking at a press conference alongside the Indian Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Processing Industries, Arun Yadav, who is visiting the country.Pacheco did not specify the amount of seeds to be produced, but said it would be sufficient “to meet the needs of the country and even for export”.India is becoming a major partner of Mozambique. In 2003 an agreement on agriculture was signed with India, covering agricultural research, rural extension, technical assistance and staff training.During Yadav’s visit, the two sides have assessed their cooperation programme, and decided that it should be strengthened, particularly in the area of scientific training. Pacheco added that both ministries have agreed on a mechanism to assess the programme on a quarterly basis.As part of this cooperation, and based on India’s successful harvest in the last agricultural campaign, India is prepared to export wheat and rice to Mozambique “at competitive prices”.India also wants to increase the quantity of beans it imports from Mozambique, and start importing Mozambican cotton. India is already the largest importer of raw cashew nuts from Mozambique.Arun Yadav stressed that his government’s priority “is to help Mozambique become self-sufficient”.
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