ZAMBEZIA AGICULTURAL SECTOR GROWS BY OVER 15 PER CENT

The agricultural sector in the central province of Zambezia has registered an average annual growth of 15.5 per cent over the last eight years. Production has increased from 1.8 million tonnes in 2005 to 5.5 million tonnes in 2013. A source in the provincial government told this growth was influenced by the construction of the Thewe II irrigation scheme in Mopeia district which has the capacity to irrigate 227 hectares, and the introduction of new agricultural implements. In addition, five silos have been built in the districts of Alto Molocue and Gurue with the capacity to store five thousand tonnes of grain.During the period seven district capitals were linked to the electricity grid. This means that all the 17 district capitals (including the provincial capital Quelimane) now have access to electricity. The source added that “solar panels now provide electricity to 61 schools and 68 health units”.Other positive developments include the construction of four petrol stations and the expansion of the mobile phone network which now covers all the district capitals, 28 administrative posts and 69 localities. The road between Mocuba and Alto Benfica has been repaired over an 86 kilometre stretch and bridges have been built over the Zambezi and Lugela rivers.A water distribution centre has been built for Quelimane at a cost of 63.3 million meticais (about 2.1 million US dollars) and the city has had improvements made to its drainage system. Public buildings and the central hospital in the provincial capital have also been rehabilitated.The province has seen a large growth in the education sector. This has included the expansion of five higher education institutes. In the health sector, the ratio of inhabitants per doctor has decreased from 60,828 in 2005 to 39,000 in 2013.