Projected 15 Percent Rise In Grains Output

Mozambique expects to produce a total of 2.1 million mt of grain in the coming harvest season, representing an increase of 15 percent over the figure for 1999, Agriculture Minister, Agostinho do Rosario was quoted in news reports as saying. Speaking to the national AIM news agency, Rosario said rice contributed substantially to the increase in production addition to maize. A 15-percent expansion would bring rice production to 214,000 mt. "This increase in grain production is very significant for Mozambique. It means a large reduction in imports and an increase in the export of foodstuffs," he said. Mozambique has now achieved self-sufficiency in maize production, and this recorded a surplus of 180,000 mt this year that could be exported to other countries in southern and eastern Africa, he said. According to Rosario, the total area under cultivation will rise to 3.9 million hectares, an increase of four percent over the acreage covered in 1998/99 agricultural season.