Uíge – The Angolan minister of Agriculture, Afonso Canga, said Wednesday in northern Uige province that the culture of coffee will become a significant element among the country’s exports and an important pillar in the diversification of the national economy.

Afonso Canga was speaking at the opening of the workshop on scientific research and development of the coffee sector going on in Uige under the motto "Angola, towards recovery of coffee culture”.

He said on the occasion the revitalisation of coffee production involves three main purposes, associated with scientific research, technical assistance and rural expansion, including trade.

In the domain of research, according to the minister, what is being sought is the adoption of a process leading to a total and gradual change in the actual model and introduction of a new culture of organisation, including a chain production research approach.

The minister stated as well that the restructuring of the sector requires research centres and rehabilitation of the existing experiment stations and training of personnel in prestige world institutions.

Afonso Canga stated that agrarian research must be directed to the real problems of the products and contribute to responding to the demands of the market, that is, of consumers.

According to him, the country and the sector must follow with a clear sight the changes taking place in the world in terms of science and technology associated with the agro-farming sector.

He asserted that there can not be a sustainable agriculture and a prosperous economy without a stable technical and technological basis.

The official also spoke of the need for strengthening the technical brigades of the National Institute of Coffee (INCA), so they can help growers through transmitting their experience.

On the other hand, commenting on the meeting, he said it is a contribute to othe search of solutions to the problem and relaunch the production of coffee, in line with instructions from the head of State, José Eduardo dos Santos.

The event closing Thursday, is being attended by Angolan, Brazilians and Portuguese researchers and scientists.