SA farmers help boost Moz exports

South African farmers are helping boost agricultural output in Mozambique. A coordinating body, AgriSaMoz, has been formed by AgriSA, and was inaugurated in May 2011. There are spin-offs along the whole agricultural logistics chain. The port of Beira is already reporting an increase in exports of grain and tobacco, as well as imports of fertiliser. “AgriSaMoz’s mandate is to create a single platform that will represent the interests of RSA farmers and agribusinesses. It means that co-operation with the governments of both countries will be critical to the success of the organisation,” says chief executive officer Dirk Hanekom in the organisation’s first newsletter. AgriSaMoz was born out of invitations from the governors of various Mozambican provinces to AgriSA to become involved in commercial farming activities in their respective provinces, according to AgriSA.