Mozambique and Belarus to Launch Agricultural Mechanization Partnership

Mozambique’s government is moving to establish a technical and financial mechanism aimed at introducing Belarusian agricultural technologies into the national production sector, with a particular focus on family farming. The announcement was made by Minister of Agriculture Roberto Albino following talks with Belarusian Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov, who is on a three-day working visit to Mozambique.

Albino highlighted that mechanization is a key pillar of agricultural cooperation between the two countries, following the identification of Belarusian technologies relevant to Mozambique’s needs. ‘Mozambique needs an intermediate stage of mechanization, bridging the gap between the short-handled hoe and the large tractor. There is significant scope for mechanizing agriculture, especially within the family farming sector,’ he said.

The minister noted that Belarus has demonstrated expertise in agricultural cooperation with other African nations, citing successes in Zimbabwe, Nigeria, and elsewhere. The financial component, long the missing link, has now been addressed through the involvement of the Development Bank of Belarus. Technical teams from both countries will work together to finalize the proposal.

In addition to mechanization, Mozambique aims to boost bilateral trade by exporting value-added products such as nuts and fruits to Belarus. Ryzhenkov confirmed the potential for joint initiatives, including a visa-free travel agreement for diplomatic passport holders to facilitate exchanges between delegations.

Article source: allafrica.com | Image credit: CLUB OF MOZAMBIQUE