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Harare Bureau
Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi yesterday officially opened the 105th Harare Agricultural Show and called for greater cooperation in the area of agriculture between Zimbabwe and Mozambique. President Nyusi who arrived in the country yesterday morning was accompanied by President Mugabe as they toured several stands that exhibited livestock, dairy products, fruits and vegetables as well as seed.

Speaking through an interpreter, President Nyusi said his country had a lot to learn from Zimbabwe given its expertise and experience in agriculture. He said his desire was to see relations between the two countries consolidated and expanded to economic areas to guarantee socio-economic stability. “Mozambique, with more than 36 million hectares of arable land, only exploits about 5,4 million hectares of this land which represents about 15 percent,” he said.

“Hence the great importance of this invitation as it will enable us to gather experience with a view to promoting high scale livestock agriculture activities in Mozambique. “After a long and fruitful visit to different stands this morning, we noted with pleasure the wealth and potential displayed by various exhibitors which is clear demonstration of the diversity of agriculture and livestock products that the country possesses for the generations and improvement of living standards of the Zimbabweans people.

“The experience and expertise of Zimbabwe in agriculture management has always been appreciated and is a reference as it proves that by focusing on agriculture intervention on the value chain, our countries will be able to overcome problems of food security and will create jobs and produce income for our people.”

President Nyusi said, as raised at the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union in Johannesburg, South Africa in June this year, African countries are endowed with many resources that could go a long way in improving their economies.

He hailed President Mugabe for his stance that Africa must find solutions to African problems.

“We would like to, in a vivid manner, congratulate the government of the Republic of Zimbabwe and the relentless and hardworking farmers and exhibitors who have done their best and for the opportunity that they provided for us to experience in a singular manner, the achievements of agriculture that we aspire for our people and country.

“It’s in our interest, to share these experiences in your country particularly in the phase where we are working towards generating employment and bringing more productivity and competitiveness as priorities which have been defined by our governments,” he said. President Nyusi said mainstreaming of markets for small scale farmers had opened opportunities for them to sell their products.

“We would like to express our desire that under the Comprehensive Agricultural Development Programme in Africa and particularly through our bilateral cooperation, we deepen our cooperation in areas of research, experience exchanges between farmers of Zimbabwe and Mozambique. “President Mugabe, my dear brothers and sisters, allow me to use this opportunity to express my full availability and my high commitment to do all, I can to strengthen the friendly and brotherly cooperation between our two people,” he said.

President Nyusi said there was need for the two countries to come up with viable mechanisms of funding agriculture and insuring the sector. He also accepted an invitation by President Mugabe to return to Zimbabwe on a State visit. The Mozambican President said relations between Zimbabwe and Mozambique dated back to the days of the liberation struggle.

Vice Presidents Emmerson Mnangagwa and Phelekezela Mphoko, First Lady Cde Grace Mugabe and several senior government officials attended the ceremony.