FAO, Government, private sector and civil society gathered at the project launch

The newest project of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Mozambique has been launched on Thursday (09/04) in Maputo. The goal of the project "Strengthening controls of food safety threats as well as plant and animal pests and diseases to improve agricultural productivity and trade in Southern Africa" is to reduce the incidence of food contamination, pests and diseases among plants and animals. A further aim is to reduce their impact on the productivity of food crops, livestock, fisheries and forestry so as to support safe trade and contribute to the improvement of food security and nutrition in the region.

"Transboundary threats like pests and diseases of plant and animals and food safety issues restrict the potential for development and sustainable agriculture of a whole sub-region", FAO Representative in Mozambique, Castro Camarada, said at the project launch. In his address, Camarada referred to food crop pests such as the fruit fly, the invading caterpillar and the red grasshopper, as well as transboundary diseases like foot-and-mouth disease, Newcastle disease and peste des petits ruminants.

In Mozambique, besides the Government the project shall benefit small-scale producers, livestock keepers and fishermen. According to the National Director of Veterinary Services, who represented the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MASA) at the event, "the project is aligned with the big challenges of the country regarding the increase of production and productivity of crops and products outlined in the Government's programme". José Libombo also emphasised that "sustainable agriculture is of great importance" not only in Mozambique but in the whole SADC region. This concurred with FAO agronomist Sina Luchen's statement that sustainable agriculture "assures food security and nutrition at all levels, it makes communities more resilient, fosters inter and intraregional trade and supports vibrant economies".

At the seminar, the participants – FAO, the Government, Maputo Municipality, the private sector and civil society – approached the challenges of agriculture sustainability and regional trade, namely the frequent incidence of plant and animal pests and diseases, poor knowledge of food safety as well as poor coordination of national and regional efforts among the key sectors when it comes to approaching the various challenges.

Financed by the Africa Solidarity Trust Fund (ASTF), this project is a joint effort of FAO and the governments of eight SADC countries (Angola, Botswana, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe). It aims to improve the monitoring of pests, diseases and food contamination and to ensure a prompt and adequate response to food safety and plant and animal health issues. The ultimate goal is to secure an increase in agricultural production and productivity and to facilitate regional trade.