In Angola 2007/2008 - (Page 22) AGRICULTURE Agriculture – Sector in Review With an abundance of fertile soil in the North and Central Plateaus and annual rainfall of over 1000mm, Angola has tremendous potential in agriculture. Given the vast rural population and the relatively small industrial segment (aside from oil), agriculture is an essential sector, providing a main source of employment and food supply to the country. The subsistence-level farming that existed during the war supplied little to no salable surplus and limited commercial activity. The country was forced to rely on imports of wheat and rice, as well as food aid. The farming situation, however, is gradually improving and may be accelerated by the favorable climate and rehabilitated roadways. Angola consists of three main agro-eco regions: • The North (Uíje, Kwanza-Norte, Zaire, and Malange) and Northeast (areas of Luanda) region has a humid climate and produces manioc, corn, beans, and peanuts. • The Central Plateau, with a semi-arid climate, produces corn and beans. • The Southern region is a sub-humid transition zone and is recognized for its production of corn and raising of livestock. Some areas produce manioc, sorghum, millet, and macunde feijão (a variety of cowpea), with grazing and cattle raising prevailing in the southern Cunene Province. Many Angolans utilize traditional farming techniques, including tilling and manual weed control. Animal traction is used by farmers in the central provinces of Huambo and Bié, the coastal regions of Benguela, and in the southern Huíla province. Some farmers in this area use fertilizers, improved seed varieties, and tractors to plant and cultivate. The primary dry-land growing season runs from September to April and produces 95% of the annual grain and legume supply. The remaining 5% of the production supply comes from the second growing season, mainly in wet lowlands, from June through August. During this time, some farmers plant greens, sweet corn, beans, and sweet potatoes in the wet lowland areas. Increasing the production and distribution of food goods in Angola is crucial to achieving food security and enhancing the rural economy. The main deterrents to the development of the agricultural sector are the weak rural markets, the poor integration with urban markets, and the high production and transport costs caused by the high price of imported input products (e.g., fertilizers and machinery). However, the growing urban market boosts the demand for agricultural development. With demand increasing and the country in a state of growth and rehabilitation, the agricultural sector is beginning to see enhancements and overcome the hurdles that once stood in its way. Terra Verde Targets Niche Markets An agriculture and livestock-raising project, Terra Verde includes a farm training center, nine half-hectare greenhouses, a large stretch of open fields, and approximately 250 workers. The staff is trained in advanced greenhouse technologies, open fields, irrigation systems, grafting of fruit trees, and nursery maintenance. Terra Verde produces tomatoes (year round), cucumbers, eggplants, peppers, squash, watermelon, and other melons. The farm is currently testing the production capabilities for raising bananas and mangos. In addition to the agricultural products produced at Terra Verde, the area is devoted to poultry and eggs. Demand for Terra Verde’s high-quality, cost-efficient products is quite high. The farm supplies individuals and 90% of Luanda’s commercial network with its multitude of products. For more information contact info@investinangola.org 22
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