Mozambique’s agricultural sector grew five percent in the first half of the year, despite pests threatening production, according to the latest official data consulted by Lusa.
The increase “is in line with the positive evaluation of the 2017/2018 agricultural campaign” the bi-annual balance sheet of the Government’s Economic and Social Plan made available by the Ministry of Economy and Finance reads.
“The harvests of the first season are good, although in the south, part of them have been lost due to the irregularity of the rain and the high temperatures recorded in the months of October and November 2017,” the document adds.
The state of development of the second season crops is also positive, it states. Estimates indicate that there will be a growth (of between 4 and 17 percent) in the production of food crops (cereals, legumes, roots and tubers), compared to the same period in 2017.
For yield crops, the half-yearly balance also points to increases of 16 percent for oilseeds and 10 percent for horticultural crops.
The indicators for specific products are optimistic with cotton at 53 percent growth, but falls are predicted for banana (23 percent), sisal (40 percent), cashew (0.7 percent) and tea (1.7 percent).
Sugarcane production is expected to grow 20 percent against the previous year, but still below expected. “Low production is a consequence of the reduction of productivity of the areas due to the effects of pests and diseases, as well as the reduction of soil quality due to saline intrusion,” the document reads.
The government’s Economic and Social Plan biannual balance sheet also indicates growth in animal products and the fisheries sector.
Source: Lusa
