A “better future” in sight for small farmers in Maratane
26 July 2019, Nampula- The life of Itália Mário, 25, like many other young people in rural areas, always depended on agriculture. From a humble family, Itália depends on what she sows to feed and help her family, but it has not been easy to ensure production and productivity due to lack of quality seeds, most of the times.
This situation changed now, since the young farmer decided to join the Association "Better Future of Ntelamazi 2" located in Maratane camp, Nampula District, Nampula Province, where FAO implements a programme integrated with other United Nations agencies (WFP, UNHCR, UNHABITAT) in collaboration with the Government of Mozambique.
In a half-ha area Itália´s group invests in the production of food for consumption and sale. The group of 12 members (6 women and 6 men) takes care of "wonderful" crops that draw attention to anyone passing by.
"We received FAO support in seeds, agricultural sprayer, insecticide, fungicide and assistance. We learned how to make aligned beds and how to properly produce and use organic fertilizers," she says.
Within this project, in coordination with its partners, FAO has been supporting asylum-seekers, refugees, local smallholder farmers and local producer associations to improve their livelihoods. Recently, Italia's group were able to share their experience with other producer associations seeking to improve their farming skills.
Muamisse Ahamada, for example, comes from Monapo district and is the beneficiary of an NGO for sustainable development named OLIPA ODES. The farmer was delighted with what she saw at the association in Ntelamazi 2.
"This association is really for a better future. I'd like to stay here longer to learn from them," she said. "The crops are very beautiful, there are no pests, the fields are clean and well aligned."
Mwalua Alberto is also part of another association that received FAO support in seeds agricultural sprayer, insecticide, fungicide and technical assistance, and she is optimistic about the results.
Mwalua is the head of a women group of 28, members of a savings association in Nathithi locality, also in Maratane district. The 28 women have a demonstration field where, with FAO technical assistance, they test and evaluate new seeds varieties and agricultural practises, and the approved material is implemented in their own fields. "We think this activity will give us income because we are already learning how to sow properly and use fertilizers to produce more and more," she said.
Like Itália and Mwalua, more farmers in Maratane are improving their livelihoods. In addition to this group, FAO also supports other groups of refugees living in the Marratane Refugee Center with inputs so they can develop their livelihoods through agriculture and poultry.
The FAO programme in this district includes activities such as vegetable production, rain fed, crop production and poultry farming.