The Mozambique Chamber of Commerce and the Chinese Group Long Run signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 1 of October, in Maputo, to develop the cassava value chain, with a view to exporting to China. The agreement foresees the involvement of producers and creation of conditions to increase production, processing, and marketing.

A representative of the group stated that the initial goal is to export one million boxes of cassava, without indicating a timeframe for reaching that volume. She highlighted the potential uses of the product in industry and animal feed, in addition to human consumption.

The group intend to purchase part of Mozambique’s production and make knowledge and technologies available to local producers. It also identified cassava varieties considered suitable for large-scale production, as well as potential in Gaza province and other regions of the country to develop and export-oriented value chain.

The president of the Mozambique Chamber of Commerce, Lucas Chachine, said that access to an external market could encourage smallholders to expand the area under cultivation and generate income beyond production intended for own consumption.

The initiative also aims to bring investors and producer closer together, facilitate investment and support micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, with the objective of stimulating domestic production and reducing imports.

(Source: Rádio Terra, 2 October)