Africa-Press – Cape verde. The Government will increase the storage capacity of maize from 14 to 32 thousand tons, and stop the prices of basic necessities as a way of guaranteeing food security during this period of crisis.
The announcement was made this Friday by the Minister of Agriculture, Gilberto Silva, according to which it is essential to ensure that there is no food shortage and to stop the price scale in order to guarantee food security.
“If prices rise too much, families will have to reduce their shopping basket, which will also contribute negatively to the country’s food security. For people to have access to food it is necessary to have income and here the livestock sector is fundamental”, underlined the minister.
Gilberto Silva also added that the Government will support grouped purchases to ensure greater competitiveness in international procurement and strengthen food stocking capacity.
“I am referring, above all, to cereals and the issue of maize is essential. So we are taking the necessary measures to increase the storage capacity of the silos from 14 thousand tons to 32 thousand tons through an agreement with a private company, which already has this storage capacity here in Santiago and thus allowing companies that import cereals, especially corn, can ensure a greater quantity of products”, he explained.
In addition, the Government will subsidize the prices of feed produced by national factories and sold to national breeders, covering, in addition to ruminants, swine and poultry.
“I must inform you here that 96% of the imported corn goes to animal feed. Therefore, the meat, milk, eggs, and also the employment in these factories translates into family income. Therefore, there is a need to maintain the price of maize at the current level so that livestock activity can continue to be profitable”, he said.
The Government will also reduce tax levies on powdered milk and ultra-pasteurized milk, through a specific diploma. “It means reducing the tax burden on milk and in this way bringing prices down from current levels. And guarantee the maintenance of the current levels of prices for wheat, maize, edible oils through financial compensation”, he added.
As he explained, the executive will establish the prices of the latest imports as a “red line”, as he considers that it is already at the limit of what Cape Verdean families can bear and is moving forward with an import-to-import compensation regime.
“This is a measure valid for three months that can be renewed for equal and successive periods if the international situation so warrants”, indicated the minister.
The Government decided to keep the prices of butane gas and fuels for electricity production unchanged, in April, and establish a maximum margin of increase of up to 5% of the current price, for other petroleum products, namely diesel and gasoline.
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