MAFAP supports the Mozambican Cotton Institute to develop their sisal subsector policy
The economic importance of the commodity has gradually increased in recent years and it is now widely regarded as a promising subsector in terms of potential socio-economic impacts. Sisal is labour intensive and there seems to be a willingness from the private sector to further increase the sisal planted areas. This, in turn, could lead to higher production levels, export revenues and employment in the main production areas, namely Nampula and Pemba. The Government, through the IAM, requested MAFAP’s assistance to collect data and provide evidence, which could help determine policy priorities and design new policies capable of revitalizing the value chain.
On 28 February, MAFAP presented the preliminary results on international and regional trends in sisal markets as well as the questionnaire developed for collecting data related to sisal profitability and private sector stakeholders’ views regarding policy priorities for the subsector. The meeting was attended by IAM staff, representatives of the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Agriculture, and academia.
Following the data collection, undertaken at the beginning of March, the MAFAP analysts in coordination with IAM experts, are now focusing on the profitability analysis and the identification of priority actions. The results of this work will be presented in Maputo in July/August 2019 and will provide relevant evidence in support of the Government’s efforts to regulate this promising agricultural subsector.
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Media news on the sisal subsector policy in Online Noticias
See more on FAO/MAFAP activities in Mozambique: http://www.fao.org/mozambique/news/detail-events/en/c/1186844/