FAO Director-general’s Visit to Cabo Verde Highlights Success in Sustainable Agriculture and Fisheries

30 July 2024, Cabo Verde: In a landmark visit underscoring nearly 50 years of collaboration, FAO Director-General QU Dongyu has recently concluded a successful tour of Cabo Verde. The visit provided an opportunity  to review and celebrate the ongoing partnership between FAO and the Government of Cabo Verde, emphasizing advancements in agriculture, fisheries, and sustainable development.

On July 26, the Director-General toured smallholder farms in Porto Novo, including the renowned agroecological experimental field Casa do Meio. Established in 1995, Casa do Meio began when the government enlisted 22 farmers to clear volcanic stones and find groundwater wells. This pioneering effort led to the cultivation of fields and the creation of a local association. Today, managed by the sons of those original farmers, Casa do Meio exemplifies sustainable agricultural practices, including drip irrigation—a technique actively supported by FAO. The visit highlighted the positive impacts of these methods on crop yields, water management, and soil health, underscoring Cabo Verde’s ongoing commitment to enhancing food security and resilience amidst climate challenges.

The day continued with a visit to Ribeira Grande, where the Director-General explored agricultural areas to observe cultivation practices and natural resource management. The tour included a stop at Planalto Leste for tree plantations and Corda, showcasing the integration of environmental conservation with agricultural development. The visit also featured the inauguration of the Ponte de Canal rehabilitation works, a project underscoring the importance of infrastructure in supporting sustainable agriculture.

July 27 was dedicated to the Blue Transformation agenda, highlighting Cabo Verde’s progress in fisheries and aquaculture. The Director-General visited São Vicente, where he observed key fishing port operations at Enapor and the new Cruise Terminal facilities in Mindelo. At the fish cannery Frescomar, insights were gained into Cabo Verde’s strategy for enhancing the tuna and black mackerel value chains, supported by FAO’s SVC4SIDS project. Qu later  visited  a local shrimp farm, Fazenda de Camarão, which demonstrated the potential of aquaculture to contribute to food security and economic growth.

The day also included discussions with research and technical teams from Campus do Mar (Sea Campus) and Centro Oceanográfico, along with a Blue Economy Dialogue. Discussions focused on promoting sustainable practices in fisheries, aquaculture, and marine conservation. Presentations highlighted successful blue economy projects supported by FAO and provided a comprehensive overview of how Cabo Verde is leveraging its marine resources for sustainable development. The discussions also explored potential areas for future collaboration, emphasizing the country’s ongoing commitment to advancing sustainable fisheries and marine conservation.

On July 28, the Director-General visited the National Agricultural Research and Development Institute (INIDA) in Orgãos, where he observed advancements in pest control, including research on Bacillus thuringiensis for managing the Fall Armyworm (FAW). The Director-General also toured smallholder farms in Santa Cruz to see the implementation of improved agricultural practices such as drip irrigation.

The visit of the Director-General to Cabo Verde reaffirmed FAO’s dedication to fostering sustainable development and enhancing food security. By building on decades of successful collaboration, the visit highlighted the progress made and the ongoing efforts required to address challenges related to poverty, hunger, and inequality.

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