Luanda - The start of the National Plan for Grain Production Development (PANAGRÃO), scheduled for this year, will require a detailed study on several aspects in four provinces in the east of the country.
According to the secretary of State for Economy, Ivan dos Santos, the study will define the steps for implementation of the plan in the provinces chosen, namely Moxico, Lunda-Sul, Lunda-Norte and Cuando Cubango and other regions of the country with soil and climatic conditions for production of maize, soya, wheat and rice.
Speaking to the press on Monday on the sidelines of the 2nd Meeting of the Multisectoral Commission of PANAGRÃO, Dos Santos said the detailed study was expected to take place between three to four months, a task that would involve the commission's technical unit.
With the study, answers are expected to be provided on how to start the basic infrastructures countrywide.
"There is the need, in terms of timeframe, to draw up the study for these four provinces without prejudice to other regions," Santos said, adding that the study will be carried out quickly to meet the timetable set for PANAGRÃO implementation, which is to last five years.
Among other activities planned around PANAGRÃO is the repair of priority access roads to support the plan, based on the allotment terms granted.
He went on to say that there is also the need to ensure access to energy and water in the areas where the projects will be carried out, the recovery of silos, warehouses and the railway lines, according to priorities to be defined by the Ministry of Agriculture.
The budget defined for PANAGRÃO is around 2.8 billion kwanzas, equivalent to 5.4 million US dollars, which will be used in a segregated manner to finance infrastructures such as roads and allotments.
Of the same amount, 1.6 trillion kwanzas will be applied to finance the private sector by the Angolan Development Bank (BDA).
