FAO Regional Office for Africa

Angola: FAO supports spirulina production to improve the food situation of vulnerable populations in south of the country

Beneficial nutritional qualities

Spirulina production in southern Angola

14 February 2017, Luanda - The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with the Ministry of Fisheries, presented the pilot project to support the production of spirulina to feed vulnerable populations in southern Angola. Spirulina is a microalgae with very beneficial nutritional qualities to combat malnutrition.

The results of the first phase of this project - estimated at US$ 250 000 - were presented in a workshop held in Luanda, attended by; the Minister of Fisheries, Victoria de Barros Neto, the Minister of Science and Technology Maria Cândida Teixeira, the FAO Representative Mamoudou Diallo as well as other stakeholders.

The Minister of Fisheries, Victoria de Barros Neto, said that the project aimed to improve food security and nutrition of the population and to stimulate diversification of the economy in the country. She then added that the fisheries sector and its partners would set up a working group at the Ngolome training and processing center in Kwanza-Norte province to start the production of spirulina.

Mamoudou Diallo said that FAO was supporting the Ministry of Fisheries in promoting spirulina in all phases of production/consumption in the country. The FAO representative added that Angola had the necessary resources for large-scale production of spirulina. He also stressed the importance that the algae production would have on diversification of the Angolan economy. Thanks to this support, FAO will guarantee the certification to international entities, making Angola one of the first countries in Southern Africa to develop spirulina.

The outcomes of spirulina production will have significant impact on the food situation in the country. The first experience of this production in Angola took place in 2013 and 2014, at Kikuxi, in Luanda.

"The implementation of this project also includes the support from the Ministry of Science and Technology," said Minister Maria Candida Teixeira, on the sidelines of the workshop.

The Secretary of State for Agriculture, Amaro Tati has called the production of this protein "of extreme importance, taking into account its nutritional qualities in the fight against malnutrition."

On her side, the Secretary of State for Health, Constantina Furtado, praised the benefits of spirulina on human health.

The next phase of production of spirulina will be carried out by Angolan, Brazilian and Chadian consultants. This project is being implemented in the context of South-South and Triangular cooperation with the objective of developing the production of the algae to enhance the economic, social, nutritional and health benefits for populations