The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MADER) is drafting an instrument to regulate and certify organic production in the agriculture and livestock sectors in the country.
The document, presented a few days ago in Maputo, aims to define the procedures and parameters for growing plants and raising animals without the use of inorganic items.
Antónia Vaz, head of the Plant Health Department, explained that there are already people in the country who are betting on organic production, but there is still no instrument that defines what the practice is, how to produce and what the procedures for authorisation of its cultivation or breeding are.
“We know that our producers use a lot of chemical products and various other pest control methods that in organic production are not allowed. That is why we are drawing up this instrument to regulate,” Vaz stressed.
He also presented the proposed revision of the regulation on phytosanitary inspection and plant quarantine, which is Decree 5/2009 of 1 June.
Among the new features that the document will introduce, the highlight is the introduction of some aspects of control of the internal movement of agricultural products as well as the incorporation of international standards in plant protection.
“This regulation is our bible and guide in the phytosanitary area in terms of movement of plant products within the country and internationally. The issuing of certificates, licenses and control of the exit and entry of these items for the prevention of the introduction of pests in the country depend on this instrument,” he noted.
The sharing for discussion of the regulations in question comes at a time when the sector is implementing the SUSTENTA programme, whose aim is to improve the quality of life of rural family households by promoting sustainable agriculture, aiming to increase income by integrating it into productive value chains.