FAO Subregional Coordinator for Southern Africa strengthening unified efforts towards agricultural sustainability and food security in Mozambique
01 March 2024, Mozambique- The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Sub-Regional Coordinator for Southern Africa (SRC/SFS), Dr. Patrice Talla, visited the Republic of Mozambique from 26 February 2024 to 1 March 2024 to reaffirm FAO's commitment in support to the Government of Mozambique in addressing the rising food insecurity and livelihood needs of the most vulnerable people across the country, that have been exacerbated by conflict in the North and the impact of climate shocks and El Niño, particularly affecting the center and southern regions of Mozambique.
During his mission, the FAO SRC/SFS and FAO Representative to Mozambique Mr. José Luis Fernandez met with senior officials from the Government of the Republic of Mozambique, including the Minister of the Sea, Inland Waters and Fisheries with whom he reaffirmed the Organization's commitment to continue collaborating to meet food security and livelihood needs in Mozambique.
The FAO SRC/SFS coordinator expressed his concern about the conflict situation in Cabo Delgado and granted FAO´s readiness to keep addressing the needs of the most vulnerable families to revive agriculture and fisheries livelihoods in the affected areas.
While in Maputo, Mr. Talla and Mr. Fernandez hosted a meeting with development partners, facilitating discussions on key drivers and partnerships to support sustainable agriculture and food security. The FAO Mozambique team presented the Country Programming Framework (CPF) 2022-2026 priorities and 2023 key results across the country for unified efforts towards agricultural sustainability and food security in Mozambique.
Over the five-day mission, the FAO SRC/SFS also met with humanitarian partners, including staff from different UN Agencies in the field offices. These meetings were crucial for strengthening the collaboration and efforts within the UN system and with partners, highlighting the need to work closely with the Government of Mozambique to address the multifaceted challenges in the country.
The FAO SRC/SFS, together with the FAO Representative to Mozambique, travelled to the Provinces of Sofala and Nampula, where they met Government Officials and the FAO team in the field offices.
A courtesy meeting was held with the Secretary of State and the Governor of Sofala Province, followed by a field visit to FAO interventions towards a resilient livelihood's reconstruction after Cyclone Idai.
The Governor and the Secretary of State in Sofala expressed their concern about the impact of El Niño in the Province and especially regarding the vulnerable communities affected by drought.
Mr. Talla mentioned that FAO is closely monitoring the concerning situation in the Southern Africa, where some countries are facing similar conditions and and Mr. Fernandez indicated that FAO would look at the points raised by the authorities and discuss with Development Partners to explore any opportunities for support.
In the field, the FAO SRC/SFS and the FAO Representative to Mozambique interacted with savings and loan groups that allows members to fund their own agriculture activities and small businesses. These groups, technically assisted by FAO, aim to address the limited availability of financing for productive and economic activities. Additionally, they foster social capital, mutual trust, and cohesion between resettled and host communities, improving their adaptation to and resilient recovery from climatic shocks.
In Nampula Province, Mr. Talla and Mr. Fernandez paid a courtesy visit to the Governor to discuss priorities and reassure FAO's commitment to collaborate with the provincial Government in support of food security for the Mozambican people.
FAO is implementing PROMOVE Agribiz project in the province, Co-financed by the European Union (EU), the German Federal Ministry for Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and FAO. The FAO SRC/SFS and the FAO Representative had the opportunity to interact with a Farmer Field School named Mecutamala with 40 members, implementing smart agricultural practices in maize and rice fields, a seed multiplier and a local agro-dealer, showcasing the integrated approach of FAO, creating solid linkages between farmers and agri-business initiatives that grant availability of quality seeds in a country where 90% of crop seeds are obtained through informal channels.
Through PROMOVE Agribiz, FAO is contributing to increase the productivity and resilience of smallholders by improving the delivery of agricultural extension and financial services and by fostering business partnerships with private companies (off takers) along agri-food value chains in Nampula and Zambézia provinces.
The FAO SRC/SFS appreciated that FAO work is changing lives, empowering the poorest, in particular women and youth, but also changing mindsets about agriculture, which is starting to be understood as a business opportunity, and not only the means to achieve for food security and nutrition.
"We could see how FAO is able to bring together farmers around the Farmer Field School, using the e-voucher, the tools that FAO is implementing to empower this communities but also to foster collaboration with all the stakeholders, the agro-dealers, the seed multipliers and all of them are working together, not only to improve production but to ensure agriculture is really seen as a business". PROMOVE is really bringing business into the communities, not only in the rural areas but also in the urban areas. Through the motivated agro-dealers network we are able to continue investing and promoting job opportunities to the young people" he said.
Partnership at the heart of the strategy
FAO Corporate Strategic Framework 2022-2031 supports member States' national priorities as well as the 2030 Agenda through the transformation to more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one and no place behind.
The FAO Representative to Mozambique highlighted that under this strategic framework, implemented through the CPF in Mozambique, policies and strategies can be enacted that promote more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable food systems. Mr. Fernandez underscored that FAO plays a key role in its commitment by working with the Mozambican government to find solutions to improve agriculture productivity, which contributes to food security.
"We shall continue supporting these efforts to improve food and nutrition security through sustainable agricultural development, natural resource management, and resilience building in the face of food crises, natural disasters, and climate change," he concluded.