Statement of H.E. Mrs. Maria Gustava Ambassador of the Republic of Mozambique to the People’s Republic of China At The International Forum on Hybrid Rice Assistance and Global Food Security

Statement of H.E. Mrs. Maria Gustava

Ambassador of the Republic of Mozambique to the People's Republic of China

At The International Forum on Hybrid Rice Assistance and Global Food Security

Your Excellency, Wang Yi, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, State Councilor and Foreign Minister,

Mr. Luo Zhaohui, Chairman of the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA),

Excellencies,

Dear Colleagues,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Allow me to begin by expressing Mozambique warm congratulations to CPC for the successful 20th National Congress and to H. E. Wang Yi for his election for the Member of the CPC Central Political Bureau, which filled us with unparalleled joy and satisfaction.

Let me convey my sincere thanks to the organizers of this important International Forum on Hybrid Rice Assistance and Global Food Security, for giving me the honour and privilege to make few remarks on the practical experiences in the rice productions in framework of China-Africa cooperation, especially at this moment of international food crisis.

The agricultural development is a key for food security and alleviation of poverty. In Africa, agriculture is the basis for the livelihood of most of the population and contributes to the largest share of the GDP. China's assistance to the continent in this field toward the realization of its aspiration of "zero hunger" goal has been crucial.

In fact, at the Eighth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), held in Dakar last November, China made new commitments which clearly emphasized the importance of agriculture and food security cooperation for the development of African countries.

Indeed, by sharing crop cultivation techniques with African countries, China has been empowering the local communities allowing them to improve their productivity, secure the food self-reliance and fighting poverty. This model of assistance focused on practical effects through transfer of technology and integration of it into local context is building up the farmers own capacity on mutual benefits.

Excellencies,

It is worthwhile highlight that over the decades, many outstanding Chinese rice cultivating experts, including the team of "the Father of Hybrid Rice" Yuan Longping, have been on the ground in Africa, teaching locals rice planting skills.

Many African countries including Mozambique are already benefiting from hybrid rice technology. Number of introduced hybrids seeds has exhibited a 15–20 percent yield advantage over the available top inbred varieties.

In Mozambique, under the investment of China-Africa Development Fund (CAD-Fund), China is implementing one of the largest and successful hybrid rice program known as Wanbao Rice Project. It is located in the southern Mozambican province of Gaza and the project has the plan to cover 20,000 hectares. Through the introduction of new technologies, improved seeds, mechanization and capacity building to the local farmer's the production of rice increased significantly from 1.5 ton by hectare to 8 ton by hectare.

In the last 3 years, the Wanbao rice farm has seen a 13.6-percent increase in crop yield with the use of drones and other high-tech innovations. Local farmers are piloting drone using pre-mapped routes on their cell phones. Thus, this Project has also contributed significantly to increase productivity and supply of rice in the country and provides greater choice for the consumer and contributing for food security.

In this context, the Government of Mozambique is ready to work with Chinese side in the dissemination and disclosure of the best practice of this project to other parts of the country and region. Also is encouraging additional investments in order to extend the Project to the centre and northern regions of Mozambique as well as the creation of the conditions to ensure commercialization in the region and the world.

The Government of Mozambique welcomes the Chinese decision to grant zero tariffs for 98 percent to African countries, including Mozambique, of their export to China. We are looking forward more flexibility in the implementation of this agreement in order to assist the African countries to reduce their current bilateral trade imbalance and to encourage more Chinese enterprises to increase their investment in Africa in agricultural sector.

Mozambique is also looking forward to the implementation of the initiative of "100 companies in 1,000 villages" to respond to the challenge of food security, poverty reduction and improvement of livelihood for the rural households.

Distinguished Guests,

Rice is a basic step food and guarantor of food security in most of the families in Africa and China. Therefore, the increase in its production is an imperative. Based on comparative advantage of each sides, on one hand, the funds, technologies and experiences from China and on the other hand Africa arable and fertile land and weather, together we can join the efforts to reduce the food insecurity.

Indeed, together we can draw and implement combined packages that can give the farmers high productivity and attain the self-sufficiency.

From the experiences of China assistance in the cultivation of hybrid rice in Africa, we would like to encourage the following:

1. Full integration to the local communities and small farmers in all process of rice value chain, namely, access to improved seeds, cultivation techniques and marketing. In this process is important to favour the integration of small producers in profitable value chains.

2. Conduction of joint adaptability testing of the available hybrid rice varieties according to the local conditions.

3. Introduction of simple and accessible machinery that can increase productivity  at low cost.

4. Capacity building in the packaging and access to online platforms for export and trade expos to showcase African products.

To conclude, underline that Mozambique is committed to continue to strengthening the bilateral cooperation in agricultural and food security fields and to consolidate and deepening the Global Strategic Cooperation Partnership with China.

Thank you for the attention.

Xie-xie