Mozambique biofuels policy outlined: balance between food, fuel promised

In Mozambique, the director of the National Agricultural Development Programme (PROAGRI) outlined a biofuels policy that will be formalized later in the year. He predicted a balance between biofuel and food production, noting that “production of cotton by peasant farmers in Nampula, or of sugar cane by peasants in Xinavane in Maputo province, did not mean that these farmers stopped growing food.”

Last week, The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics  annoucned Agri-Business Incubator in Mozambique. The Incubator will develop best practices, transfer technology, and support product development for poor dryland farming.

Last month, Brazil and Mozambique signed a cooperation agreement for sharing resources in biofuels production and training. The document, which was signed by Brazil’s Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Mozambique’s Armando Guebuza, details a technical exchange between the countries, training, and support from Brazil for production and marketing of biodiesel and ethanol in Mozambique.

In related news, one month ago Petromoc announced that it will invest US$20 million in biodiesel production in Zambezia province. Petromoc’s announcement comes after the successful launch of an 80-ton per day biodiesel plant unit near Maputo. Petromoc indicated they would purchase feedstock from oil producers in Mozambique, but would investigate establishing their own oil crop sources.

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