By Joshua Kwapa & Matsobane Manaka
The MEC responsible for Agriculture and Rural Development, Nandi Ndalane welcomed the Mozambique Gaza Province delegation that was on a three-day visit to Limpopo Province.
The delegation, which was led by the Gaza Province Governor, Margarida Mapandzene Chongo, comprised of her entire cabinet, farmers, administrators, and business leaders.
The Mozambique delegation was in Tzaneen to attend the fifth general assembly and third agricultural conference hosted by Farmers Business Cooperative (FABCO).
FABCO Executive chairperson, Changa Mathebula, confirmed that their purpose is to escalate the commercialisation of cassava in South Africa and within SADC region and further enable trade and knowledge sharing.
Cassava is a plant with similar shape to sweet potato. It contains wide range of nutritional health benefits including vitamins, high in fibre, minerals, protein, and carbohydrates. The fibre content of cassava helps in the digestive system.
The cassava roots are used to make variety of products from bread, flour, and flakes. Wide range of products made of cassava mainly processed, which can serve as an opportunity for trade and investment were promoted in the exhibition spaces by FABCO’s strategic partners among others were Agricultural Research Council (ARC), National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC), Greater Tzaneen Economic Development Agency (GTEDA) and National Youth Development Agency (NYDA).
Gaza Province has committed to work with FABCO to improve cassava and other farming commodities such as livestock, fish, rice, cashew nuts, potatoes, beans, and tomatoes value chains. It has further committed to support the proposal by FABCO to establish wholesale market in that area. Lastly, Gaza Province vowed to allocate land for farming and investment to farmers.
In welcoming the delegation, Ndalane indicated that Limpopo and Gaza Province have signed a memorandum of understanding on trade and investment.
She noted that the province continues to appreciate the cooperation between the two provinces and said Limpopo will ensure implementation as well as strengthening of relations.
The Mozambican delegation toured agricultural projects in and around Tzaneen as part of exchange project.
Conference started on 16 March 2022 and ended on 18 March 2022 at Nkowankowa Industrial, Tzaneen.
Margarida Mapandzene Chongo, Govenor Gaza Province, Mozambique addresses the audience during FABCO agriculture conference held in Nkowankowa
