The country's largest coconut processing complex, built in the middle of last year in the district of Mocubela, Zambezia province, in central Mozambique, is already nearing completion and could begin operations next September.

Valued at around 4.8 million dollars, the venture, according to a source at ST Agro, a subsidiary of Tazetta Resources, which has decided to reinvest part of the profits made from mining in agricultural activities in that part of the country, could be inaugurated in September.

In a Sunday newspaperThe source said that the assembly of the machinery is practically complete, with the pilot test due to be carried out soon, a fact that has led the governor of Zambézia, Pio Matos, to say that the factory will revive the province's economy.

"We want to sell the natural resources we have, transforming or adding value, so we believe it will be an asset and we're also thinking about employment," said Pio Matos, who assumed that the installation of the factory was a foregone conclusion.

He said he believed that soon, "according to the company's prospects, we will be here to witness the inauguration of this great enterprise".

Located in the town of Gurai, the plant will create 500 direct jobs and more than 1,500 seasonal jobs. In addition to building the complex, the company will also have to replant and cultivate around 10,000 hectares of hybrid coconut trees to supply the plant.

Among other things, the aim is to revitalize the immense Mocubela palm grove and beyond, while at the same time enhancing the family and industrial sectors, as the factory is designed to process 20,000 coconuts a day and produce their by-products, especially oil, water, fibre, activated charcoal, jellies and copra.

(Photo DR)