P 081637Z SEP 09
FM AMEMBASSY LUANDA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5686
INFO SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS LUANDA 000567 
 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: AO EAGR EAID ECON
SUBJECT: THINKING BIG ON DEVELOPING ANGOLA'S AGRICULTURAL 
POTENTIAL 
 
¶1. During an August 10 meeting with visiting US Congressman 
Donald Payne, Agriculture Minister Alfonso Pedro Canga 
explained Angolan plans to increase cereals production from 
the current 750,000 metric tons per year to 2 million MT by 
¶2013.  The increased production would enable Angola to meet 
domestic demand (currently about 1 million MT per year) and 
export the surplus.  To achieve this goal, the GRA is 
implementing its strategic plan to 1) renovate the 
agricultural infrastructure, 2) increase acreage of irrigated 
land, 3) expand agricultural research, especially for small 
and medium producers, 4) train farmers, and 5) provide 
incentives to small-holder farmers, such as credit and 
inputs.  To this end, the GRA has recently approved a $350 
millon line of credit for small and medium producers.  In 
addition, the GRA is supporting medium and large producers 
through development of agricultural infrastructure and by 
encouraging private sector investment in the sector.  Noting 
that women play a disproportional role in food production, 
the Minister said the strategy also supports rural women and 
youth. 
 
¶2.  The Minister stressed that the US could play an important 
role in helping Angola achieve its ambitious goals of 
becoming a net food exporter.  Specifically, he requested US 
help in enlisting US educational institutions to help Angola 
build an agricultural research capacity.  He also requested 
US assistance in training (both in Angola and in the US) 
Angolan staff in agricultural production and marketing.  The 
Minister invited US investors to come to Angola and build 
partnerships to help Angola greatly expand production of 
sugar, soybean, coffee, beans, and other commodities to meet 
domestic needs and export.  He said the government would 
provide incentives to foreign investors in the agricultural 
sector, such as tax advantages, expedited importation of 
agricultural equipment, investment protection, and guaranteed 
repatriation of profits.  He said recently enacted land 
reform legislation guarantees land concessions to investors. 
He added that agricultural industries both for inputs 
(fertilizers, seeds, etc.) and for processing outputs 
(coffee, juices, canned fruit, etc.) were other areas of 
investment potential. 
 
¶3.  COMMENT:  The Minister's message to the Congressman was 
much like the one given to Secretary Clinton during her 
August 9 - 10 visit:  In the wake of the global economic and 
financial crisis, the Angolans are serious about diversifying 
their economy by developing their enormous agricultural 
potential, thus making the economy more insulated from oil 
price shocks and creating needed jobs so more Angolans can 
share in the nation's growth.  Angola has great potential not 
only to satisfy its own food needs but to contribute 
importantly to global food security.  To this end, Post is 
preparing a proposal on how Angola might benefit from 
participation in the Global Agriculture and Food Security 
Response. 
 
 
MOZENA