FOOD PRODUCTION IN THE PLANALTO OF SOUTHERN ANGOLA

Abstract

Angola is recovering from nearly 30 years of war that has left the country without food, education, and economic means. The ProPlanalto Project of WorldVision, Chevron-Texaco, US Agency for International Development, and three Angolan institutions (The Agricultural Research Service, Instituto de Investigates Agronomicas; the Agricultural University, Agostinho Neto University, and the Extension Service, Instituto de Desenvolvimento Agronomica) was organized to begin the restoration of the highly successful prewar agricultural production systems to end the famine that has struck many Angolan families and households. Modern varieties of maize, potato, and beans were brought in, local seed producers were found, fertilizer experiments were conducted, and a soils laboratory was constructed, furnished, equipped, and supplied. A goal of the Soil Management Collaborative Research Support Program intervention was to assist in this restoration by illustrating and training in the use of information technologies and participatory development to improve the provision and management of nutrients and fertilizers. Information technology tools, such as decision aids and geospatial analysis, were introduced. Participatory methods of using soil test kits, farmer-to-farmer visits, and farmer empowerment were used to used to illustrate that the country and its scientists can leapfrog into use of current technology and knowledge management skills if they so choose. Maize yields of up to 9000 kg ha -1 and potato yields as high as 16,000 kg ha -1 were obtained under ideal conditions. Indications are that irrigation is available during the dry season, potentially providing sustainable water supply for year-round irrigation. Soils from the experimental sites were characterized using Soil Taxonomy to facilitate sharing of production system technology and expertise.