Hidroelectrica de Cahora Bassa (HCB), the company responsible for the mighty Cahora Bassa dam, and the Zambezi Valley Agency are joining forces to cultivate a brighter future for Tete province. This collaborative effort, christened PROMESA, was unveiled last Thursday in Cahora Bassa district, marking a significant stride towards the region’s agricultural and livestock development.
While the project’s budget remains undisclosed, Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi lauded the initiative during the launch ceremony. He acknowledged the positive impact of past investments in mechanization, input procurement, expanded agricultural zones, and support for cash crops and agro-processing, all of which have propelled agriculture’s contribution to a healthy 25% of the national GDP.
“These initiatives,” President Nyusi remarked, “have given us a foothold in the agribusiness value chain,” citing the successful marketing of agricultural surpluses as a prime example. He pointed to Tete’s immense production potential, particularly for cash crops like rice, sunflower, and soybeans, emphasizing their role in bolstering the provincial economy.
The President envisions PROMESA fostering a dynamic economic ecosystem. “This is not just about production,” he explained. “There’s a whole chain involved – supplying raw materials, processing food, and creating jobs for our youth.” He illustrated this interconnectedness, using maize as an example: “The maize produced here will be transported, sold, transformed, and finally reach consumers. A whole new segment of the population will find employment due to this project.”
The PROMESA launch wasn’t all speeches; a tangible commitment was made by distributing production tools to beneficiaries in Cahora Bassa district. Empowered with these resources, they are set to embark on projects that will contribute significantly to the district’s agribusiness sector.
