Luanda - The Angola Bioenergy Company (Biocom) estimates that it will produce, in the near future, around 220 thousand tons of sugar, which corresponds to 70% of the Angolan market's needs, with the implementation of the Sustainable Sugarcane Initiative program (SSI).
The project, that opened this year, aims to reinforce the process of economic diversification and significantly reduce sugar import levels in the country, according to a press release to which ANGOP had access this Thursday.
Quoted in a note, the Biocom general director, Rodrigo Melo, said that the class of sugarcane producers has significant benefits, as the program adds 10 thousand hectares of sugarcane cultivation to the 30 thousand already cultivated, allowing the company reach maximum sugar production capacity, in the order of 220 thousand tons.
He recalled that this goal will help Angola to diversify agricultural production, reduce sugar imports and take firm steps towards food self-sufficiency.
He added that, in addition to the SSI program, Biocom also started other projects this year, such as the production of molasses, from sugar cane, which constituted important support for agriculture and livestock farming in Angola.
He recalled that, previously, this product was 100% imported, but this year a production of three thousand tons of high quality is expected, once again demonstrating the company's capacity and the country's enormous potential.
Rodrigo Melo also said that this product is already being sold to national entrepreneurs, hoping to contribute to the entire farming chain, since sugarcane molasses can be used as an agricultural fertilizer, a supplement for animal feed or even as a raw material for distilleries.
According to the director, the SSI program is essentially aimed at businesspeople and farmers with recognized capacity to invest in arable land, manage agribusiness and ensure the supply of sugar cane to Biocom for two cycles (12 years).
To support partners (businesspeople and farmers), Biocom already has an agreement with the Credit Guarantee Fund (FGC), which provides investors with advice and financial monitoring of the project, having established partnerships with national banks for the concession of credits to interested parties.
Continous support for those who transform and invest in the country's agricultural sector is a fundamental goal of the SSI program, according to the general director.
Rodrigo Melo said that the project also includes advice and technical training for the operational workforce, issue agronomic analysis and recommendations, as well as guidance in the acquisition of equipment to be used in the operation.
Biocom is the first company in the country to integrate the production and commercialization of sugar, ethanol and electricity, from biomass.
Located in the Capanda Agro-Industrial Complex, in Malanje Province, it operates in an area of around 60 thousand hectares, of which around 53 thousand are used for agriculture and around 6 thousand hectares are reserved for the permanent preservation of native vegetation.
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