Luanda - Food production in Angola has grown by 6% in the last two years, an indicator that demonstrates the progress that the agricultural sector has achieved to ensure food security in the country.
According to Anderson Jerónimo, director of the Office of Studies, Planning and Statistics (GEPE) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Anderson Jerónimo, this growth was recorded in several crops, with emphasis on rice, which previously its production was very low.
The official, who was speaking during the conference on 'Food Security – Challenges and Opportunities', one of the topics discussed on the fifth and penultimate day of the 39th edition of FILDA 2024, which ends this Sunday, added that the current results of agricultural activity encourage farmers to continue working to ensure the availability of food for the population.
Despite this growth in the sector, the source acknowledged that the current production is still not enough to meet the real needs of the domestic market, in addition to also defending the investment in the training of human capital and more investment in agricultural institutes and field schools.
However, he recalled that Angola continues to be self-sufficient in products such as cassava, bananas and sweet potatoes, as well as goat meat.
For his part, the national director of fisheries, Victor Chilamba, pointed out the need to adjust fishing capacity and improve the value chain.
He recalled that, in 2023, around 600 thousand tons were produced, in three segments: artisanal fishing, which contributed 35%, industrial and semi-industrial, with 65%, as well as the continental aquaculture sub-sector, focused on tilapia fish (cacusso), with about 8 thousand tons.
In addition to the conference on 'Food Security – Challenges and Opportunities', the fifth day of the 39th edition of the Luanda International Fair (FILDA 2024) was also marked with a forum on 'The role of INAPEM in promoting initiatives to stimulate the economy.
The penultimate day of FILDA was dedicated to the Golden Lions Gala, which aims to reward the most outstanding exhibitors during the event, as well as the family, with the registration of the influx of several visitors to the fair.
FILDA, which has more than 1,350 exhibitors than in the previous edition, is the largest showcase for national promotion, business and job development. In fact, the international character of the event also has a digital imprint in fostering economic diversification.
The event is attended by 19 countries, with emphasis on South Africa, Namibia, Italy, Germany, Brazil, Portugal, USA, South Korea, Turkey and Canada.
The 39th edition of FILDA takes place under the motto 'Food security and international partnership: The binomial of economic diversification', in an area of 144,000 square meters, 42,000 of which are recreational exhibition areas. EH/QCB/DOJ
