"This center of excellence is an initiative of the United Nations Development Program, the Timbuktoo Foundation and has the support of the Angolan government. The project will accelerate the emergence of agricultural startups, boost distribution and supply chains, as well as provide technical and financial training to young entrepreneurs," he said in statements to the press, quoted by Angop, after a meeting between the Minister of State for Economic Coordination, José de Lima, and a delegation from the UNDP.
One of the main objectives of the project will be to train young people with technological and market skills, linked to modern and sustainable agricultural practices, pointed out Albano Ferreira, adding that the initiative will also serve as a link to obtain financing, through a fund associated with the Timbuktoo Foundation and other partners.
According to the minister, this project is in line with the government's strategy within the scope of the National Development Program.
In turn, Elisabeth Gonçalves, spokesperson for the project, highlighted that this stage marks the completion of the operational model to be implemented in Angola and in other Portuguese-speaking African countries, writes Angop.
The official considered that the initiative will stimulate the agricultural sector at local and regional level: "The Timbuktoo project will boost the local and regional agricultural sector, giving young people the opportunity to explore an area with enormous potential, not only for domestic consumption, but also for export, taking advantage of infrastructures such as the Lobito Corridor".
According to the official, the project will begin to be implemented at the end of this year, with funding from the UNDP and the Government, and is expected to create a physical hub, a center of agricultural excellence with a robust technological component, writes Angop.
The expectation, she said, is that the initiative will contribute to modernizing the agricultural sector, fostering employability and strengthening "food sovereignty".
"The expectation is that the project will bring lasting impacts to the country, contributing to the modernization of agriculture, job creation and strengthening of food sovereignty," she said.
