April 29, 2008, 21:30
Mozambique's president Armando Guebuza said the the country would be hard hit by global food price rises if it does not boost agricultural output.
"Mozambique will not be spared by the food crisis, food prices are on the increase as well as fuel prices, we must start producing food now.
"This crisis will hit us hard and we should be not caught off guard."
The United Nations has warned that millions of people are threatened by hunger around the world because of the recent surge in food prices, which has sparked food riots in several African countries, Indonesia and Haiti.
Increased food demand
Increased food demand from rapidly developing nations such as China, the use of crops for biofuels, global stocks at 25-year lows and market speculation are all blamed for pushing prices of staples like wheat, maize and rice to record highs.
Mozambique will need to import at least 1.25- million tonnes of maize, wheat and rice by August to cover food shortages caused by floods since February, government officials say.
At least 150 000 people in the country were in urgent need of food aid after severe floods in the centre of the country. Mozambique has already faced unrest over living costs.
At least six people were killed in protests that erupted in February over high fuel prices and other costs. The government agreed to cut the price of diesel fuel for minibus taxis. - Reuters
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