Angola achieves record cereal production, surpassing three million tons

ANGOLA- The Angolan agricultural sector celebrates a remarkable achievement, recording a production of three million 187 thousand and 951 tons of cereals, including maize, millet, rice, and wheat, during the 2021/2022 agricultural season. 

This marks a notable growth of about 11.1% compared to the previous period.

Corn emerged as the leader in this significant achievement, contributing three million 89 thousand and 902 tons to the overall harvest, reflecting a notable increase of four percent. 

The announcement was made by Domingos Veloso, the national director of Forestry, during a meeting between the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, António Francisco de Assis, and national and foreign journalists in Luanda.

In addition to corn, other cereals also demonstrated positive growth during the period under review. Massango production reached 43 thousand and 819 tons, showing an increase of 3.2%. 

Similarly, massambala production amounted to 35,551 tonnes, an increase of 3.2%, while rice production reached 10,563 tonnes (0.5%) and wheat production around 8,117 tonnes (0.2%).

The cultivation of these cereals, undertaken by both the family and business sectors, spanned an extensive area of two million 903 and 446 hectares. Key provinces contributing to this success include Huambo (27.9%), Cuanza Sul (23.1%), Bié (16.3%), Benguela (11.2%), and Huíla (8.5%).

In another noteworthy segment, roots, and tubers played a pivotal role in national production, leading with a harvest of 12 million 922 thousand and 711 tons. This category, comprising cassava, reindeer potatoes, and sweet potatoes, accounted for a significant portion of the total national production during the 2021/2022 period.

The fruit segment also contributed substantially, recording a harvest of six million 79 thousand and 785 tons of products, including bananas, citrus fruits, mangoes, pineapples, and avocados. These fruits, cultivated in provinces like Benguela, Cuanza Sul, Uíge, Bengo, and Cabinda, were harvested from an area of 247,474 hectares.

Vegetables saw a production of one million 975 thousand and 867 tons, encompassing garlic, onions, tomatoes, carrots, cabbage, and other products. The legume and oilseed sector contributed 621,755 tons of products such as beans, peanuts, and soybeans.

Overall, national agricultural production experienced a significant growth of 5.6%, involving nearly two million households and 5,800 companies during the 2021/2022 agricultural season. 

Family production constituted about 90% of the total, benefiting from nine thousand tons of seeds and 21 thousand various plants, with a particular emphasis on corn and rice seeds.

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