Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries, Roberto Albino, said last Friday (17) that banana production is one of the strategic bases for Mozambique's economic and social growth, for its contribution to job generation, income and export revenues.
The ruler spoke during a visit to Quinta Bela Vista and Mafavuca Enterprise, two of the leading banana and other fruit companies in Boane, Maputo province. The aim of the shift was to assess the sector's progress and challenges in the context of strengthening commercial and sustainable agriculture.
According to data presented by the Banana Moz Association, the sector employs some 7000 direct workers and 17,000 indirect workers, ensuring the livelihood of thousands of families in various rural communities. Only farmers associated with the aggregation produce 75 thousand tonnes of bananas annually, with estimated revenues of over 70 million dollars.
On the occasion, the minister, quoted by the portal Ngani, stressed that Mozambican banana — already exported to countries such as South Africa, United Arab Emirates and China — demonstrates the national productive potential and the need to continue to invest in quality and efficiency to consolidate the country's competitiveness in the region and beyond.
During the meeting with producers, Roberto Albino also pointed out the main challenges of the sector, including logistical, sanitary and high production costs, highlighting that the Executive is committed to improving transport and storage infrastructure and reducing the bureaucracy associated with the export of perishable products.
" A tAsk force together with the Ministry of Transport and Logistics to define faster and more suitable mechanisms for the disposal and export of agricultural products," he announced.
The minister praised the commitment of producers and reiterated the Government's commitment to create a more predictable and attractive business environment, including the definition of a stable and long-term taxation table for the sector.
"Banana is a concrete example of the national productive force. The government will continue to support producers and create conditions for agriculture to be the real driving force for economic growth," he concluded.
