Agronomist and environmentalist Silvano Levi understands that the transfer of irrigated perimeters, built with public funds, from the Central Government to Provincial Governments must be done in a sustainable way in order to contribute to local economic growth
In the province of Huíla, where there are irrigated areas of Matala and Gangelas, in the municipalities of Matala and Chibia, respectively, the agronomist defends the adoption of policies that produce the results for which they were designed.
In his opinion, this transfer will provide a resizing of arable land linked to the irrigated perimeters of the Huíla Province, which might bring a new reality.
“For agriculture to be a raw material, we need to develop a culture that brings the finished product to the city, we need these perimeters to be managed by the Local Administration so that they can contribute to growth”, he said.
On the other hand, the expert warns of the attention that the Government must pay to the occupation of land in the most agricultural areas, such as Humpata, Chibia and Matala. For him, the gains can be adverse, especially for people who hold some political power and occupy land without producing anything.
For his part, Luthero Campos, also an agronomist, says it is necessary to study the best way to manage these perimeters so that the same mistakes are not made in the past.
“Does it happen that when the perimeters are transferred to the management of Provincial Governments, financial management is also transferred? Will there be any financial allocation for this purpose or will there be admission of new staff for them?”, he asked. The President of Cooperativa 1° de Maio, which works in the Matala irrigated perimeter, Victor Fernandes, hopes that with this transfer there will be more support to increase production levels.
“We hope that with this measure that the Government is implementing, it will put an end to our problems in the production process, for example, the lack of improved seeds, the lack of agricultural inputs.
We are unable to produce according to the needs presented to us”, he assured. Last Thursday, the 7th, the Central Government carried out the transfer of powers for the management of the country’s irrigated perimeters, in compliance with Presidential Order No. 237/23 of October 16, which authorizes the transfer of powers for the management of perimeters installed in a little across the country.
These are the irrigated perimeters of the provinces of Bengo, Huíla, Cuando Cubango, Moxico, Cuanza-Norte and Cuanza-Sul, whose management was under the responsibility of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.