Mbanza Kongo – At least 42,571 hectares have been prepared by the agriculture sector in Zaire province for the 2024/2025 agricultural season to start in October, the director of the Local Department for Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Gouveia da Silva Pedro has said.
Silva said more than 38,000 family farmers will be involved in the next agricultural season in the region's six municipalities.
He added that in addition to family farmers, the agricultural year in this region will involve 208 field schools, 98 associations and 277 agricultural cooperatives.
According to the official, the farmers involved in the agricultural campaign will be trained in new cultivation techniques to change the way farming is practiced and to increase production levels.
Pedro said at least 600,000 tons of various products are expected to be harvested, especially cassava, sweet potatoes and yams, sesame, beans, common beans, corn, among others.
In the 2023/2024 agricultural season, Zaire province produced 551,65 tons of various products, with 39,998 hectares having been prepared. JLT/ED/AMP
