Speaking at a ceremony in Maputo on Tuesday where he signed a memorandum of understanding with Yang Hi, the head of a Chinese delegation visiting the country, the Minister of Science and Technology Minister, Venancio Massingue, said that the site was chosen by the Chinese among a range of possibilities across the country.
The final choice of the Umbeluzi site was based on the abundance of water. ease of access, and a reliable supply of electricity.
The idea for setting up this centre was first advanced during the visit by Chinese President, Hu Jintao to Mozambique in February.
China has offered to provide the centre with agricultural equipment and specialists, said Massingue.
"We want support, not hand outs, which means that we will certainly have our part to play. We will do what is required of us for the creation of the centre", he said.
The visiting delegation is to return to China to discuss with its government the budget for the undertaking, and come back to Mozambique to process the collected data and prepare to start construction.
"We do not have, as yet, any fixed dates for the start of construction work", said Massingue. "At the moment, we have done the collection of data, and a technical team will come here to finalize the details with us. When that work is completed, then we will have answers to questions such as how much it will cost and when it will start".
He stressed that the idea is for the centre to create conditions for the farmers to have access to new technologies, because "agriculture is the basis for development, but a successful agriculture is one based on knowledge and supported by technology".
In its initial stage, the centre will dedicate its activities to research for the production of rice, soya, and maize.
SOURCE: AIM
