ADA has provided 650,000£ to support farmers affected by Cyclone Idai

14 June, Maputo- The Austrian Development Agency (ADA) has provided 650,000£ to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to support farmers affected by Cyclone Idai in the provinces of Manica and Sofala.

225 tons of maize (148t) and beans (77t) and agricultural tools were distributed to benefit more than 21,000 households in Nhamatanda, Búzi, Sussundenga, Macate, Guro, Chemba, Tambara, Vanduzi and Mossurize districts. Each family received 8kg of maize seeds, 4kg of bean seeds, two hoes and a machete to restart food production.

For the distribution process, the families that lost their food and seed store were prioritized. Selection criteria also prioritized households headed by women and other vulnerable groups. The selection of geographical areas and beneficiaries was held in close cooperation with the provincial authorities of the agricultural sector.

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security (MASA), Higino de Marrule, joined the seeds distribution in Nhamatanda district, where he assured that the Government will continue to mobilize support so that the affected families can recover the lost production.

FAO Representative, Olman Serrano, said that soon after Idai made the landfall in Beira, the Austrian Cooperation was the first to react and provide support through FAO.

"This has allowed us to start acquiring seeds and agricultural tools right away and helping the most affected farmers," he said.
For the FAO Representative, the amount received "will contribute to increase food availability and reducing food insecurity and malnutrition."

The head of Austrian Development Cooperation, Hubert Neuwirth, stressed the importance of this support for families who lost everything.

"This support is intended to meet the immediate needs for seeds and other agricultural inputs from the families in the areas affected by cyclone Idai, now returning to their areas of origin. They can restart farming immediately to guarantee the second agricultural season, thus contributing to the food security of their families. "

Manica and Sofala produce approximately 25 percent of the country's cereals, but saw their resources destroyed by Cyclone Idai on 14 March. Most farmers in the region lost all their seed stock as well as crops planted and almost ready for harvest.

Prior to Cyclone Idai, affected provinces had suffered recurrent droughts and floods, which made them vulnerable to shocks and accentuated food insecurity in certain areas. According to an analysis of the Integrated Framework for Food Security Classification (IPC) of December 2018 and data from the Technical Secretariat for Food and Nutrition Security (SETSAN), 1.7 million people in Mozambique were in the situation of severe food insecurity last year.