According to a report in Wednesday's issue of the Maputo daily "Noticias", the Ministry is using funds that were initially allocated for local development under the country's National Agricultural Development Programme (PROAGRI).
This money is to purchase seeds and agricultural tools for the second planting season in areas hit by disasters such as the floods in the Zambezi Valley, and Cyclone Favio in the southern province of Inhambane.
The Deputy Agriculture Minister, Catarina Pajume, speaking at a meeting of the Coordinating Council of the government's relief agency, the National Disaster Management Institute (INGC) held in the central city of Chimoio, explained that these funds were initially earmarked for local development projects, but now they have to be used in emergency initiatives.
She said this decision was taken after negotiations between the government and the international donors who are supporting PROAGRI.
Pajume stressed that it is her ministry's task to guarantee seeds and agricultural implements for the family sector in the areas affected by floods and drought, and fairs are being promoted for the sale of agricultural inputs in the Zambezi valley.
Prime Minister Luisa Diogo praised the Agriculture Ministry's initiative to use the money for local development projects in emergency actions.
"Mozambique has been classed among the ten best African countries in terms of sustainable development, thanks to agriculture", she said. "The Zambezi floods have left good humidity, that must be taken advantage of by the farmers to recover their losses".
SOURCE: AIM
