Mozambique

An overview from the USAID Mozambique website.

Agriculture continues to be the mainstay of Mozambique’s economy, contributing more than a quarter of its GDP and employing 80 percent of its labor force. The overwhelming majority of producers are subsistence farmers. Chronic food insecurity in Mozambique is exacerbated by climate change and natural disasters such as floods, droughts and cyclones.

Mozambique has vast potential to eventually become a major food producer in Southern Africa. Only 16 percent of land suitable for farming is currently cultivated, and its geographic location between landlocked countries to ocean ports raises Mozambique’s potential to play a role in regional food security and international markets. Improving agricultural productivity and ensuring access to food are now top priorities for Mozambique’s leaders.

Through Feed the Future, USAID is helping thousands of vulnerable households improve their food security by adopting more productive agriculture technologies, improving nutrition and health, and connecting farmers to markets. USAID is also developing and strengthening farmer associations and agribusinesses to improve business practices and increase sales.

To achieve the most impact, Feed the Future in Mozambique focuses agriculture and nutrition efforts in Zambezia and Nampula provinces based on need, potential for impact, and opportunities to leverage other public and private investments. These provinces also contain or are adjacent to the country’s three main trade corridors. Together, the provinces are home to 44 percent of the country’s poor, 43 percent of stunted children under 5 years of age, and 51 percent of underweight children under 5 years of age (370,000).  Investments will focus on oilseed, cashew and fruit value chains, due to the income and nutritional benefits they offer.

In 2010, USAID worked closely with the Government of Mozambique to finalize a 10-year strategic development plan for the agriculture sector. USAID also reached over 20,000 small-scale farmers through a seed and fertilizer “smart subsidy” program, resulting in greater yields for rice and maize. USAID investments in research and technology have also resulted in several improved seed varieties for maize, sweet potatoes and soybeans.

Priority Institutions

  • National Institute of Agricultural Research (IIAM)
  • Ministry of Health, Directorate of Public Health Promotion (DNSP), including the Nutrition Division and the Division for Health Promotion
  • SETSAN-MINAG
  • Eduardo Mondlane University
  • Lurio University, Nampula

Priority Study Areas

  • Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness
  • Nutrition, Food Technology and Food Safety; Policy Analysis and Food Security
  • Technical Agriculture; Adaptation to Climate Change

 

Mozambique Student Summary Data

(Click the link above to access student completion summary data in Smartsheets)

 

 

 

 

Current Students

There are no entries at this time.

Alumni

Michigan State University
  • Spartans Will.
  • © Michigan State University

MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer, committed to achieving excellence through a diverse workforce and inclusive culture that encourages all people to reach their full potential.

Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Quentin Tyler, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.

The 4-H Name and Emblem have special protections from Congress, protected by code 18 USC 707.

We comply with the Federal Trade Commission 1998 Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).