Mozambique’s Milk Mishap: Agriculture Minister Claims Success with One Caveat

Mozambique’s agricultural sector has notched up a near-perfect scorecard on its five-year plan, according to Agriculture Minister Celso Correia. However, there’s one sour note – milk production, which Correia termed the industry’s “Achilles heel,” failed to meet its targets.

Speaking at a National Planning Meeting in Maputo this week, Correia revealed that 10 out of 11 indicators set for agriculture and livestock between 2019 and 2024 had been achieved. While this is a cause for celebration, the underperformance in milk production is a cause for concern.

“We’ve seen some growth in milk-producing provinces like Sofala and Manica,” Correia conceded, as quoted by independent television station STV. “But our ability to attract investment and compete with more established markets might be why we haven’t seen the same progress as with other products and crops.”

Despite the mostly positive performance, Correia cautioned that the ministry’s ambitions extend far beyond the five-year plan.

“A major challenge we face, both for food security and national production, is demographics,” he explained. “This will also determine how effective public intervention in agriculture is, so we can’t ignore this factor.”

Correia also shed light on the issue of irregular wages for agricultural extension workers, admitting it has impacted their performance. He blamed the newly introduced Unified Wage Table (TSU) for the hiccups but assured those present that his ministry is working towards a swift resolution.

The minister emphasized the need for sustainable practices in Mozambican agriculture, not just financially but also socially, to create a better environment for farmers to thrive.

The three-day planning meeting has brought together around 300 leading agricultural figures from across the country to dissect the sector’s performance over the past five years. This introspection will no doubt be instrumental in shaping the future trajectory of Mozambique’s agricultural sector, ensuring it overcomes its current milking woes and continues on its path towards growth.