Low graphics   |   Mobile      Login   |   About us      
Wed, 2 Dec 08:36:58 GMT17

 
Angola's recovery: Agriculture

The majority of Angolans depend on agriculture for their survival. Before the war Angola was a major exporter of coffee and maize. But agricultural production plummeted during the war, and now more than 700,000 people are dependent on food aid.

According to the World Food Programme the major obstacles to recovery are:

  • loss of skills among people who were forced off their land for decades

  • poor infrastructure that cuts farmers off from markets, raises the cost of transport (many products have to be transported by air) and raises the cost of fertilisers and agricultural machinery

  • landmines which prevent new land from being farmed

  • loss of soil productivity

  • periodic flooding and drought

    • Commercial agriculture - including coffee - has not yet recovered and there is little incentive for farmers to move into growing cash crops because of the transport difficulties. Chickens, for example, are transported by air because it would take too long, cost too much and many would die if they went by road.

    A national agricultural survey was carried out by the Food and Agricultural Organisation and the World Food Programme in 2004. Click here to read it: FAO/WFP report



    Printable view  |  Email this article  |  Send comments



    URL: http://www.alertnet.org/angola_agriculture.htm

    For our full disclaimer and copyright information please visit http://www.alertnet.org