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"It was clear during the conference deliberations that the response to problems of hunger and chronic malnutrition was the development of the human capital," he said in officially closing the three-day symposium.
"The current levels of malnutrition that affect our population are unacceptable," he said.
Nhaca said the government had put in place mechanism that would, among others, guarantee the availability of improved seeds, fertilisers and other agricultural products to farmers.
The government would also boost the operations of the agricultural extension services, which would provide farmers with expert knowledge, develop irrigation systems and mechanise the agricultural sector.
"We hope that this development will help in combating poverty through eliminating one of its mostly elementary manifestations, which are lack of basic food and temporary or permanent food insecurity," said Nhaca.
Mozambique is struggling with both chronic food insecurity, caused by complex developmental questions, and transitory food insecurity caused by the numerous natural disasters.
Although food availability in general has improved over the last five years, the baseline vulnerability assessment carried out in 2005 shows that 35% of households still have high vulnerability due to food insecurity and chronic malnutrition.
Nhaca said food security and nutrition was not only about availability of food but that nutritional education of communities was fundamental.
The symposium aimed to map solutions to the food crisis amid high international fuel prices.
- Sapa
