27th February 2020, Maputo - Mozambique will have, until next year, all forest information digitalized, through the Forest Information System (SIF) developed with the technical support of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), as announced by the National Director of Forests, Xavier Sakambuera Sailors.

Speaking during the Technical Meeting of Forests that has been taking place in Maputo since Monday, the National Director of Forests, Xavier Sakambuera Sailors, said that SIF aims to "revolutionize the workflow in the forest sector", moving from analog to digital processes and facilitating the control of areas.

This system was developed with the technical support of FAO, through the MOZFIP project, funded by the World Bank and the Government of Mozambique through the National Fund for Sustainable Development (FNDS).

For the FAO Representative, Hernani Coelho Da Silva, digitization will contribute to a better management of forests, as a fundamental basis in forest administration and control.

"The use of the system will bring greater agility and transparency in administrative and operational management," said the FAO Representative, adding that the successful implementation of the system requires dedication, capacity and readiness from those who use it ".

"We live in a reality, as in many other countries, in which the exploitation, use, productivity and trade in wood are problematic. In this sense, everyone is required to have an integrated approach to forest management and a holistic view of its multiple environmental products and services, concluded Hernani Coelho Da Silva.

The testing phase is now underway in the provinces of Cabo Delgado and Zambézia, north and center, respectively, and it is expected that by 2021 the digitization process will reach the entire country.

The Technical Meeting of Forests was attended by 80 technicians from the National Directorate of Forests (DINAF), from the Legal Office of the Ministry of Land and Environment, from AQUA, from the Provincial Services of Forests and Fauna from the provinces of Gaza, Manica, Zambézia, Nampula and Cabo Delgado.

During the 4 days meeting, participants will discuss topics related to forest licensing, interpretation and understanding of the legal framework, forest inspection, among others.