MOSCOW, March 4. /TASS/. The African continent has every opportunity to be self-sufficient and, in the future, even feed other regions, Director of the FAO Liaison Office with Russia Oleg Kobyakov said in an interview with TASS.

"Africa offers lush soils, sustainable agriculture zones, a diverse range of agricultural products that grow locally and can occasionally generate two or three harvests per year, and abundant fisheries resources. FAO believes that Africa has the opportunity to become self-sufficient and even feed other regions in the future," he stated.

He also added that the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) wants to work more closely with Russia on the African continent.

"FAO, as a specialized UN agency in the field of development assistance with a global mandate in the field of agriculture, fisheries and forestry, would welcome closer interaction with Russia, including on the African continent, the allocation of new Russia’s voluntary contributions to FAO projects aimed, in particular, at introducing sustainable agricultural practices, efficient management of water resources, and reducing food loss and waste," he said.

FAO is the UN specialized agency leading international efforts to combat hunger. The organization operates in more than 130 countries around the world.