Maputo, Mozambique
March 27, 2007
Michael Malakata,
SciDev.Net
Mozambique aims to lead a green revolution in sub-Saharan Africa
by using science to improve crop varieties, and by boosting
innovation.
Opening the conference Biotechnology, Breeding and Seed Systems
for African Crops in Maputo, Mozambique, yesterday (26 March),
Mozambique's Minister of Science and Technology declared that a
green revolution is needed for development in the region.
"Incorporating science in agriculture in Mozambique is key to
the modernisation of the economy and to provide jobs in rural
and urban areas. This is why science improves the lives of
people," said Venancio Massingue.
He said his country’s bid to bring about a green revolution
would only be possible if scientists breed high-yielding
varieties of crops to relieve hunger in rural areas.
Mozambique has set aside over US$30 million dollars for seed and
fertiliser distribution, and the government is looking for
private sector partnerships to widen the seed programme.
Last week, Mozambican president Armando Guebuza declared that
his government is striving toward a green revolution to improve
and diversify agriculture and increase food production.
Calisto Bias, director of the Mozambique National Institute of
Agricultural Research, said research plays an important role in
the development and promotion of new agricultural products.
"The use of improved seeds is quite small in Mozambique and
Africa in general. Seed companies always complain about the
small market compared to the cost of production," said Bias.
Rajiv Shah, director of Agricultural Development and Financial
Services at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, told
SciDev.Net that some of the US$150 million invested in the
Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa programme will be used
to improve seeds and soil health in Africa (see
Partnership forged to spur Africa's green revolution). |
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