MOZAMBIQUE AND FAO PARTNERING TO ACHIEVE THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS Mozambique became an FAO member in 1977, and a country representation was opened in Maputo in 1979. Since then, Mozambique and FAO have been working closely to improve nutrition and eradicate hunger; develop policy and institutional reforms; promote sustainable agricultural production and natural resources management practices; and support disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation. Gender and nutrition issues are addressed in all areas of current cooperation. CELEBRATING 40 YEARS IN Matching FAO’s expertise to Mozambique development priorities MOZAMBIQUE FAO assistance in Mozambique is shaped by the 2016‑2020 FAO Country Programming Framework Established in 1979, the FAO Representation in (CPF), which is centered on three priority areas: Mozambique is pleased to be celebrating its ➨ Improve selected value chains for food and 40th anniversary. nutrition security, through policy development and frameworks, improved technologies and market participation, as well as strategies related Facing emergencies to plant and animal health, food safety and quality and value chain improvement. Flooding caused by Cyclone Idai in March 2019 and ➨ Ensure transparent and sustainable Cyclone Kenneth in April 2019, has left devastating loss of management of natural resources and the life and large‑scale destruction of assets and environment, through best practice governance infrastructure in its wake. For a country where 80 percent of natural resources for a more sustainable of the population depends on agriculture, keeping management of the environment. animals alive, rehabilitating damaged land and rebooting ➨ Increase the resilience of livelihoods to climate food production is of paramount importance. change, threats and crises, by improving risk reduction, resilience and climate change FAO and WFP are co‑leading the Food Security and adaptation. Livelihoods Cluster with FAO taking the lead on the agriculture component. The immediate objective of the Jointly formulated with the Government and other partners, the CPF reflects relevant priorities in Cluster is to resume local food production by assisting key national development policies, including the fishing communities and supporting livestock owners. Government Five Year Programme (PQG) and Key interventions include: the provision of agricultural the Strategic Plan for the Development of the inputs through electronic voucher and direct distribution Agricultural Sector (PEDSA). The CPF is fully aligned of seeds, fertilizers and planting material; the provision of with the UN Development Assistance Framework livestock and veterinary support; and the rehabilitation of for Mozambique and is part of the Regional Initiative rural assets and infrastructure. 2: Sustainable Production Intensification and Value Chain Development in Africa. CONTACT Mr Hernani COELHO DA SILVA FAO Representative in Mozambique FAO Representation Rua de Mukumbura 285, Bairro da Polana Cimento Maputo, Mozambique Tel.: +258 21 491136; +258 21 498541 E-mail: [email protected] ©FAO MOZAMBIQUE AND FAO Boosting access to agricultural inputs Promoting aquaculture through e‑vouchers In Mozambique, overall aquaculture production has The FAO e‑voucher system is benefiting about 23 000 declined over the last decade, mainly due to high farmers in Mozambique, leading to significant changes in production costs and poor production techniques. people’s lifestyle. To counter this trend, FAO initiatives are being implemented in the country, promoting fish farming as a The e‑voucher system is a flexible market development source of employment and livelihoods. tool that allows farmers to buy certain types of inputs from agro‑dealers that accept the e‑vouchers as partial payment. Traditionally, the Mozambican aquaculture sector Agro‑dealers redeem the e‑vouchers based on a settlement has been comprised of many small‑scale extensive report that is produced every two weeks by the system. To fish farms. Production is mainly destined for avoid market distortions, prices of the inputs available at the “We cannot improve consumption by the agro‑dealer’s shops are in line with the prevalent market nutrition without prices in the region. fish farmers and their families, with some improving food security, Within the programme, agro‑dealers are able to provide surplus sold, generally and we cannot achieve inputs to beneficiaries, especially during times of greater close to the village. Inland food security without demand. Most of the beneficiaries are also members of the aquaculture production in making better food Farmer Field Schools (FFS) where they learn and put into Mozambique is currently systems.” practice new cultivation techniques and test new varieties of low, estimated to total FAO Director‑General crops, among other activities. some 200 tonnes of fish As part of the Millennium Development Goal 1c per year. sub‑programme (MDG1c) funded by the European Union, The FAO project ‘’Development support to commercial FAO and the Government of Mozambique have noticed aquaculture in Inhambane Province of Mozambique’’ that smallholder farmers have the greatest motivation for has helped improve technical equipment for increased financial mechanisms that help them afford agricultural production. inputs, aiming to increase the number of farmers who transit from subsistence to commercial farming. Thanks to this initiative, Piagropecus technicians had the opportunity to learn and improve their aquaculture techniques and business skills, including breeding, Facing climate change grow‑out, green water culture, feed management and New practices for improving food production farm management. In addition, training has been delivered to approximately 100 small‑scale fish farmers For many Mozambican farmers, improving incomes is in the districts of Zavala, Panda and Inhambane, and a challenge. Some traditional farming methods, such as to 35 extension workers from the Ministry of the Sea, planting the same crops in the same area year after year, Inland Waters and Fisheries. have impoverished soil fertility. In addition, dry and hot periods are becoming more frequent and rain has Project beneficiaries recognized that training, combined become irregular. with on‑farm support, has contributed to improve technical aspects as well as operational procedures. With An FAO GEF‑funded project is working with the this initiative, some were able to start fish farming as a 06/2019/2 Government of Mozambique to help farmers increase business. agricultural production through the introduction of improved agricultural practices. In Farmer Field Schools (FFS), farmers are learning improved agricultural practices, such as the consociation of maize and pulses crops, the use of organic compound, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), conservation agriculture and other diversification practices. In the first agriculture season of 2017‑2018, around 28 FFS members were trained in practices, options and measures for climate change adaptation, as well as agriculture conservation practices. The application of these new practices has led to increased production and yields. ©FAO.