Angola to start large scale cotton production to feed its textile industries

Satec, in northern Cuanza Norte province, Textang II, in Luanda, and Africa Têxtil, in Benguela, which are industrial complexes rehabilitated under the country’s industrialization programme gearing up to launch large scale fine cotton production with an intention to feed on a permanent basis to its textile industries.

According to the minister of Agriculture, Afonso Pedro Canga, some private investors are designing their projects to launch the production of the raw material for the textile industry.

For the start of the above plants set for this year, the country will import 20,000 tons of raw material a year in the first phase , before they start producing slowly. With the new technology they can produce and need not much to reach this volume of cotton yarn, he explained.

According to the minister, lands have been allocated to private investors in the provinces of Malanje and Cuanza Norte, to grow cotton and later in Benguela.

The minister said that arrangements are also in progress to assist family peasants that will engage in growing cotton, starting from Cuanza Sul province, where an area has been put in place, including technical assistance and water to respond to the needs of the emerging industry.