The Government and the Mozambican Association of Bakers (Amopão) signed on Tuesday a memorandum of understanding, aimed at the supply of firewood to avoid a rise in the price of bread, due to a shortage of fuel for the ovens.

"This measure is an unequivocal demonstration of the commitment we have to guarantee the population's access to bread. It is also a demonstration that united in the use and management of natural resources we can safeguard the satisfaction of the basic needs of our population," said Emilia Fumo, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Land and Environment, quoted in a statement.

The memorandum aims to establish the terms regarding the cutting of firewood in a sustainable way for the manufacture of bread, given the difficulty of access to this raw material by bakeries, in addition to ensuring control over the process of exploitation and restoration of degraded areas.

According to the document, the Ministry of Land has committed to make available for sale fast-growing seedlings for reforestation, provide support, and issue annual permits for cutting firewood for bread production.

"The population's dependence on this resource has been causing enormous pressure on our forest heritage, often putting some species at risk of extinction, as well as compromising the balance of natural ecosystems," said Emília Fumo, noting that 80% of the population depends on forest products to meet basic needs.

Victor Miguel, president of Amopão, said that the memorandum will "guarantee that bread will not be missing on the Mozambicans' tables," while it will also be a "shield for environmental protection," since it will allow for the regulation of "forest felling and its replacement.

Lusa Agency