Th challenge of modernising agriculture #angola

The transformation and modernisation of agriculture in
Africa, particularly in Angola, is regarded as a major
challenge for the governments, private sector, civil society,
farmers and development partners.
This was said Tuesday in Luanda by the Angolan minister of
Agriculture, Afonso Pedro Canga, when speaking at the
signing of the Partnership Pact on Detailed Programme for
Agricultural Development in Africa.
The Cabinet minister said that the Angolan government, led
by the President José Eduardo dos Santos, focuses on
farming sector as priority in the National Development Plan
(PND) for 2013/2017 period.
According to Afonso Pedro Canga, the agriculture in the
continent plays a key role in the Governments economy, as
the main generator sector of employment, revenue and
exported products for many countries.
He assured that the ongoing implementation of various
programmes and projects aimed at increasing agricultural
productivity and production is considered one of the
conditions to achieve food and nutrition security, combat
hunger and poverty.
"With the signing of the pact today, he said, Angola finished
to perform the prepaid phase actions in accordance with the
regional roadmap established by the Economic Community
of Central African States (ECCAS)", he said.
He also said that the ceremony marks the beginning of pos-
pact phase that will lead to the drafting of National Plan for
Agriculture Investment and Food Security.
The minister also said that the country has pledged to
comply with the provisions of the pact, agreement on goals,
objectives, principles and defined procedures.
The document was signed by the incumbent of Agriculture
Ministry, Afonso Pedro Canga, official of the Economic
Community of Central Africa States (ECCAS), Joel
Bieansean and Domingos Simão Salvador for Angolan
private sector.