Mozambique: Production of Bio-Fuels Not to Compromise Food Security

Source from:  Agencia de Informacao de Mocambique (Maputo) 9 September 2007 09/10/2007

Mozambican President Armando Guebuza said in Brasilia on Saturday, where he is on a five-day state visit started on Tuesday that incrementing production of bio-fuel crops will not compromise food security in the country. Addressing Mozambican reporters in the Brazilian capital, Guebuza said that the country is striving to ensure that the production of this resource does not jeopardize people's expectations, and it will not affect the production of foodstuffs. Brazil is prepared to help Mozambique in the production of bio-fuel in order to reduce dependence on imports of fuel, and also help create job posts. In his address, Guebuza recalled that Mozambicans have been producing cash crops for the last few centuries, including cotton, tobacco, and others, but that never interfered with food production. 'We are very much aware of the importance of food production, but also of bio-fuel as another source of employment and income. We are prepared to make the production of bio-fuel in large quantities a source of income for the producers, the peasants', he said. Guebuza met on Saturday with the Brazilian Education Minister Fernando Hadad, and Culture Minister Giberto Gil, who are heading two of the different areas where Mozambique and Brazil have decided to strengthen their cooperation. During Guebuza's visit, the two countries signed six cooperation agreements, one of which is on distance learning and incentive to scientific training for Mozambican students. Albeit there is not, as yet, any formal agreement, one of the areas in perspective is the cultural industry, and Guebuza invited the Brazilians to invest in this area, saying that Mozambique has a potential and Brazil can offer its vast experience. Guebuza invited his Brazilian counterpart, Luis Lula da Silva to visit Mozambique, and arrangements for that effect are being made at diplomatic level. Da Sila, who is serving his second mandate after winning a second election in 2006, has been in power since 2003, and visited Mozambique in his first year in power. Both countries admit that their trade exchanges have been too poor and need enhancing, and they are determined to change the situation, particularly by involving the private sector. On Friday, Guebuza took part in the celebrations of the Brazilian National Day as a special guest. In his speech, da Silva noted that his government helped about eight million Brazilians come out of the absolute poverty line, thanks to his government's social and economic policies. However, he warned to the need to keep vigilant against external economic turbulences. He said that he is somehow an unhappy citizen because his country has a social debt to poor countries, the medium class is facing difficulties, and the productive sector needs incentives. 'Today, I am the happiest and the unhappiest citizen in this country. I am the happiest because I have the honour to lead a very special process to transform this country. But I am also the unhappiest because I am convinced that we can still walk faster and better', he said, adding that job opportunities are increasing, and poverty reducing, but the country needs to grow further. Enditem