Africa-Press – Angola. The Minister of State for Economic Coordination, Manuel Nunes Júnior, defended, this Tuesday, the continued commitment of the business class to modern agricultural techniques, with a view to leveraging domestic production and reducing imports.
The minister made these statements in the municipality of Luquembo, during a visit to the Marsiris farm, dedicated to the production of rice, having said that this was the way to go to “stop” the importation of various products in the basic basket, generate more jobs and promote the socio-economic development of the country.
Manuel Nunes Júnior was surprised by the fact that the farm was able to produce, in less than six months, four thousand tons of rice in an area of 600 hectares, which is why he encouraged other investors to invest in this segment, with a view to achieving the objectives of the Grain Production Promotion Plan (PLANAGRON).
“If we have other companies producing on the same scale, the objectives of PLANAGRÃO can be achieved”, he maintained, characterizing Marsiris as an example of what companies in the sector can do for large-scale production.
In turn, the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, António de Assis, praised the farm’s engagement in rice production, as well as guaranteeing job opportunities for local young people. He guaranteed institutional support from the Ministry, so that the project can continue to expand its activity.
For the Minister of Industry and Commerce, Víctor Fernandes, projects such as Marsiris contribute to the diversification and strengthening of the national economy.
Meanwhile, the provincial governor of Malanje, Marcos Nhunga, reiterated the province’s potential in agricultural terms and made it known that, in addition to rice, the region is committed to the production of maize and soybeans, and could therefore participate actively in the Promotion of Grain Production.
The managing partner of Marsiris, Sónia Morais, made it known that the project, which works with its own funds, also provides for the training of families on new production techniques and delivery of improved rice seeds, in order to have higher yields per hectare. , whose production will be acquired by the farm.
He estimated, for the 2023/2024 agricultural campaign, the expansion of the cultivation area to five thousand hectares and in the next 10 years to reach 10 thousand, counting on the support of the Executive, in order to transform Luquembo into a strategic municipality in terms of rice production concerns.
With 200 workers, the Marsiris farm has already invested more than five million US dollars and has a partnership with one of the largest companies specialized in rice production in the world.
The visit of the Minister of State for Economic Coordination marked the end of the rice harvest in the project, which began on 21 April.
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