Mozambican farmers are preparing to expand cassava production and processing in anticipation of a new export market in China, where the Long Ran business group intends to absorb a portion of the country’s national output, the Mozambique Information Agency (AIM) reported.
The initiative stems from a memorandum of understanding signed on Wednesday, 30 September, in Maputo, between the Mozambique Chamber of Commerce and the Chinese group. The agreement envisages involving smallholder producers, developing the cassava value chain, and creating the conditions necessary for processing and commercialisation of the crop.
A representative of Long Ran, quoted by AIM, said the initial target is to export one million boxes of cassava, though no timeline was given for reaching that volume. The executive also argued that the crop has applications beyond food consumption, including industrial uses and animal feed.
“I want cassava to be the pasta of the entire world,” the representative said.
Market Access Could Drive Production Growth
According to the Long Ran representative, the group intends to make available to Mozambican producers the knowledge and technologies acquired through its family’s experience in the agricultural sector.
The group has also identified cassava varieties with characteristics considered suitable for large-scale production, pointing to Gaza Province and other regions of the country as areas with the potential to develop an export-oriented supply chain.
The president of the Mozambique Chamber of Commerce, Lucas Chachine, argued that the existence of an external market could incentivise smallholder farmers to expand their cultivated areas, transitioning from production primarily intended for subsistence to an income-generating activity.
“Producers will know that the limit is not just direct consumption — they will now have a market where they can generate income,” Lucas Chachine said.
The agreement also aims to bring investors closer to producers, facilitate investment flows, and promote the transfer of knowledge and technology. The broader expectation is to stimulate local production, support micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, and contribute to a reduction in imports.
Source: Diário Económico
Original article: https://www.diarioeconomico.co.mz/?p=549357
