World Agriculture Day: Incatema, committed to the development of agriculture in Africa

8 September, 2023

September 9th is World Agriculture Day, a day that reminds us the crucial role of agriculture as an economic engine, a development driver and a cornerstone of food security in an increasingly challenging world affected by extreme climate events, conflicts, and a growing population.

Projections predict that the world’s population will reach 9.7 billion by 2050. According to the World Bank, in order to feed this population, food production must increase by 50% before 2050. Africa, with its vast natural resources and human capital, could be the key to achieving this goal.

The reality is that agriculture has been gaining momentum in Africa, ensuring food sovereignty, creating employment opportunities, and helping balance the trade deficits of countries highly dependent on imports to feed their population. However, even when more than a quarter of the world’s arable land is in Africa, the continent only generates around 10% of global agricultural production. This highlights its enormous growth potential in the coming years.

At Incatema, we have been supporting farmers, food processing companies, distributors, and all stakeholders in agricultural value chains for many years, aiming to improve productivity, product quality, and the adoption of climate-adapted technology and sustainable environmental practices.

CADP, with which INCATEMA has been working since it began, supports the development of commercial agriculture as an economic engine in Angola

The Commercial Agriculture Development Project (CADP), with which Incatema has been working since 2017, is paradigmatic because it is achieving a transformation of the agricultural sector in Angola by professionalizing it, making it more efficient, and adding greater value. Additionally, for the first time, commercial banks in the country have started providing loans to the primary sector.

This project, funded by the World Bank, aims to support both male and female farmers in improving their crops productivity and facilitating their access to markets.

Commercial agriculture is an emerging sector in Angola, a country with a growing population that still relies on food imports and foresees a significant increase in food expenditure in the coming years. Increased national agricultural production will reduce imports and related expenditure.

The project also contributes to the economic diversification agenda that the government has initiated to reduce Angola’s dependence on oil. A diversified and competitive economy is crucial to reduce countries’ vulnerability to oil price fluctuations and to create opportunities for new jobs and income generation that help reduce poverty and malnutrition among their populations.

In the case of Angola, with a young and constantly growing population, the sector can be an interesting source of employment and provide rural youth with the opportunity to integrate into a fair transition to an inclusive and sustainable economy through the creation of green jobs and the development of sustainable and resilient agricultural techniques.

Development of new maize varieties to increase production

One of the components that CADP focuses on is the production of high-quality seeds and the development of new maize varieties. Tests are being conducted in various provinces with the involvement of the National Cereals Research Program (PNIC), the Institute of Agricultural Research (IIA), and CADP.

This way, Incatema provides technical support to entrepreneurs and producers who are investing in the production and distribution of high-quality seeds.

Boosting maize production and yield is a significant challenge, as maize is one of the most consumed and cultivated cereals worldwide, including in Angola, and plays a crucial role in both human and animal nutrition.

Improved maize seeds will optimize crop productivity and quality

Productivity and quality of maize harvests are critical factors for farming operations economic sustainability. Therefore, it is essential to use high-quality seeds that guarantee optimal results. To date, crops low productivity in Angola has been attributed to factors such as a lack of access to quality inputs.

Thanks to this project, and others that Incatema has been carrying out for over 25 years, our company has contributed to improving the economic situation of many farmers and their families, enhancing the nutritional status of rural families, and revitalizing a sector that is fundamental to the economy and well-being of any country.