The European Union (EU) will support an additional 10,000 Mozambican farmers to produce cereals so that the country can face the global food crisis aggravated by the war in Ukraine. The measure will result from an increase of 15 million euros for the Promove AgriBiz program celebrated today in Maputo.
Promove AgriBiz already supports 22,000 farmers and the reinforcement announced today represents an increase of 45%.
The diplomat was speaking at the signing ceremony for support in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Cereals Institute of Mozambique (ICM).
"The new funds allocated will help create the strategic food reserve, in accordance with the mandate of the LCI. The aim is to support the production of 16,000 tons of corn and 4,000 tons of beans," the EU said in a statement.
The aid is part of the 23 million announced in September for Mozambique, as part of the European Development Fund's global package of 600 million euros for food aid and production in the most vulnerable countries in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific (ACP).
In Mozambique, the EU predicts that disruptions in the production and trade of cereals and fertilizers will lead to shortages and a likely increase in prices with a negative impact on the food security of the poorest groups of the population
Subsistence farming is the main source of food for the majority of Mozambique's population, which is currently estimated to be around 31.6 million people, about half of whom are under the age of 18. (RTP/Lusa)
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