Angola’s cassava queen receives UN Food agency honor
Summary and headline written by AI from the source article. How we work
Teresa de Castro Mariz, an Angolan farmer in Moxico province, earned recognition from the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) as one of 100 “Heroine Women” in 2026.
The FAO chose Mariz for her success in developing agribusiness in eastern Angola and improving the lives of local families. She competed against over 600 applicants from 131 countries for the honor. Mariz founded the T. Mariz farm after leaving a career in banking.
She focused on increasing cassava production, a key crop for people in the region, and created jobs for local residents. Her farm now serves as a model for other cassava growers in Angola, producing 30 to 40 metric tons per hectare. The FAO initiative acknowledges women who are leaders in food security, rural development, and sustainable management of natural resources. Angola’s Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry stated Mariz’s work was central to her selection.
Mariz will receive her award at the FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy, during the World Food Forum from October 12 to 16. This recognition coincides with the International Year of Women Farmers 2026.
