Luanda - The minister for Fishing and Marine Resources, Carmen do Sacramento Neto dos Santos, Monday in Rome, Italy, presented the Angolan government's interest in implementing the "Hand in Hand" initiative, with a view to increasing production of seeds and grains.
The initiative promoted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), aims to boost agricultural processing and sustainable rural development to eradicate poverty and end hunger.
The government official informed that the initiative´s goals will be achieved through national and cross-border agribusiness hubs and it will reduce the negative impacts of the covid-19 health, climate and financial crisis in order to increase the country's productivity.
Speaking in the debate on the "State of Food and Agriculture: Integrated Management of Water Resources", at the 43rd FAO plenary session, the minister defended the need for dialogue, exchange of experiences and partnerships, with water as the main point.
According to a press release from the Angolan Embassy in Italy, the official also said that irrigation, land transformation and management of ocean ecosystems for the resilience of food systems could cooperate in the development of sustainable rural economies, with innovation and responsibility.
To her, Angola is interested in creating partnerships with programmes which comply with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), as the country's priorities focus on agriculture, fishing and small industries to increase local production.
Besides the minister, who is heading the Angolan delegation, the FAO event is also being attended by the secretary of State for Agriculture and Forestry, João Cunha, the Angolan ambassador to Italy, Fátima Jardim, and directors from both ministries. AC/MRA/jmc
