The Government of Mozambique, with technical support of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and financial support of Government of Japan, has launched the Soil Mapping for Resilient Agrifood Systems – Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils (SoilFER-VACS) project aimed at enhancing soil fertility and sustainable crop management across Mozambique.

In the quiet village of Naele, within the Chiure Sede district, 28-year-old Emilio Mauricio Ernesto has been working tirelessly to build a stable life for his family. He lives with his wife, brother-in-law, and two young children, finding strength in the familiar rhythms of community and agriculture.

In the heart of Cabo Delgado, Mozambique, Helena Alberto’s story is one of perseverance, adaptation, and resilience. The 48–year–old farmer was displaced by conflict in early 2024, forcing her and her family to leave behind their home in Masesie. They arrived in the Meculane Centre with nothing but a 25kg bag of rice. Starting over in an unfamiliar land was daunting, but the kindness of the local community made the transition more bearable. 

In the coastal district of Mecufi, Mozambique, fishing is more than a livelihood; it is a way of life. For Mário Sadique, a 52-year-old fisherman and father of twelve, the sea has long been both a source of sustenance and a relentless challenge. A hardworking man juggling multiple responsibilities, Mário prefers to spend his days at sea, where he relies on traditional line fishing to provide for his family. But when weather conditions prevent him from venturing into the ocean, he turns to farming to supplement their food and income. 

In response to the severe impact of Cyclone Chido on rural livelihoods in northern Mozambique, FAO, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries (MAAP), is supporting over 8 000 farming families in Erati and Memba districts. Through the Moz Rural Programme, funded by the World Bank, affected households received electronic vouchers worth MZN 4 000 to purchase seeds and tools from local agro-dealers. This market-based intervention not only facilitates timely planting and recovery but also strengthens local supply chains and promotes resilience. The initiative reflects FAO’s commitment to sustainable and climate-smart agriculture in Mozambique.

FAO, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MISAU) and SETSAN, led a two-day workshop in Maputo to advance the development of Mozambique’s Food-Based Dietary Guidelines (FBDG). Bringing together national stakeholders and FAO experts, the event focused on evidence review to inform healthier eating habits and address persistent malnutrition and diet-related diseases. The initiative, aligned with FAO’s Strategic Framework and Country Programming Framework, aims to promote diversified diets using local foods and to strengthen national nutrition policies for a healthier and more resilient Mozambique.

On 14 May 2025, FAO, Italy, and the Governments of Mozambique and Zimbabwe launched two major projects: the Transboundary Integrated Sustainable Management of Miombo Woodlands Project and the Zimbabwe-Mozambique Agriculture Value Chain and Trade Development Project (Zim-Moza ATDP). Supported by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), the projects aim to restore Miombo woodlands, enhance agricultural trade, and promote sustainable livelihoods in border areas.

In a collaborative effort to enhance women's economic empowerment and food security in rural Mozambique, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), together with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Government of Mozambique, has launched a five-day intensive horticultural training programme in Manhiça. The project, "Strengthening Women’s Skills: An Economic Empowerment Project for Young Women and Girls," aims to equip 30 vulnerable women and adolescent girls from the Maluana Women's Empowerment Centre (WEC) with crucial agricultural skills.

The initiative focuses on practical and theoretical training in sustainable horticultural practices, including soil preparation, nursery management, planting techniques, pest control, and post-harvest handling. By integrating nutrition education and entrepreneurial skills, the programme not only strengthens agricultural knowledge but also opens pathways to economic independence and resilience for women and girls in the community.

The Government of Japan has announced USD 3.725 million in renewed funding to bolster the humanitarian response and support Mozambique’s efforts toward sustainable development. The contribution will reinforce lifesaving assistance in areas affected by the complex crisis in northern Mozambique for the next 12 months and will be channeled through four United Nations entities, under the leadership of the Government of Mozambique and in coordination with national counterparts.

FAO has trained 28 forestry experts from Angola and Mozambique in the latest remote sensing techniques to support the Global Forest Resources Assessment 2025. Held in Lobito and funded by the European Union, the workshop focused on using satellite data and local knowledge to improve forest monitoring. Participants learned to track forest changes using Collect Earth Online, an open-source tool for image interpretation, enhancing the region’s ability to produce accurate, up-to-date forest data. This initiative marks another step in FAO’s global effort to strengthen sustainable forest management through advanced technology.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in partnership with the Government of Mozambique, through the Ministry of Communications and Digital Transformation, launched on 17 April 2025, the Digitalization of the Farmer Field School (FFS) Project in the District of Mocuba, Zambézia Province. The project, part of the 100 Days of Governance activities led by the Government, aims to modernize agricultural education with digital technologies by promoting digitalization and digital inclusion across all sectors and levels of governance, ensuring that farmers have real-time access to information.

Mozambique’s new Ministry of Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries brings together key sectors that shape the lives of millions. FAO is seizing this opportunity to work more closely with national partners to deliver real improvements in food security, rural livelihoods, and natural resource management. By strengthening coordination and focusing on people, this renewed partnership will help communities growing more, protecting their environment, and building a better future.

To strengthen sustainable fisheries management, FAO, through the SWIOFC-Nairobi Convention Partnership Project (SWIOFC-NC PP2) and the EAF-Nansen Programme, conducted two community-level training sessions on the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries (EAF) in Moma, Nampula Province, and Machanga, Sofala Province. Held in February and March 2025, the sessions engaged 92 participants in each location, including fishers, community leaders, NGOs, and government representatives. The training introduced interactive methodologies to enhance understanding of EAF principles and support the development of Fisheries Management Plans (FMPs). By integrating traditional knowledge with scientific approaches, the initiative empowers coastal communities to actively participate in sustainable resource management, ensuring the long-term resilience of marine ecosystems and livelihoods. 

This story illustrates how community-based agricultural training and technical support are helping smallholder farmers in Mozambique build resilience against climate shocks. Through improved livestock management and sustainable feeding practices, farmers are now able to secure food for their animals during droughts and create new income opportunities, such as hay production and sales. These initiatives not only strengthen food security and livelihoods but also promote self-sufficiency and economic diversification in vulnerable rural communities.

As Mozambique grapples with the devastating effects of El Niño-induced drought, FAO has stepped in to support more than 31 000 vulnerable farming households with timely and targeted assistance. Combining innovative e-voucher systems and large-scale in-kind distributions, FAO’s intervention has enabled farmers to access essential seeds and tools, plant on time, and restore their livelihoods. This article highlights how FAO’s dual approach is helping farmers rebuild food production, improve food security, and strengthen resilience for the future.

Ahead of anticipated floods linked to La Niña, FAO supported nearly 4 000 farmers in Sofala and Zambézia with flood-resilient seeds, cash transfers, and mobile phones to safeguard livelihoods and food security. Despite milder forecasts, communities remain vulnerable after months of hardship and ongoing cyclones. FAO continues to scale up anticipatory actions and strengthen resilience, proving that acting early is essential to reduce losses and protect vulnerable populations.

Since October 2023, FAO and WFP have worked together in Tete Province, Mozambique, to strengthen climate-resilient livelihoods and food security for smallholder farmers. Focusing on livestock support, the programme has delivered essential training, veterinary kits, and mobility tools to local technicians and livestock promoters in Changara, Cahora Bassa, and Marara districts. Key actions include establishing forage banks to ensure sustainable feed during dry seasons and promoting hay and silage production to prevent livestock losses. By enhancing veterinary services and encouraging better feeding practices, the initiative aims to reduce vulnerability, improve resilience, and secure the livelihoods of farming communities facing increasing climate risks. 

FAO Mozambique has been actively delivering emergency agricultural assistance to thousands of vulnerable households, focusing on the provision of quality seeds, farming tools, and poultry assets to help families resume food production. With agriculture being the primary livelihood for most families in the region, restoring farming activities is critical to reducing dependence on external aid and promoting self-sufficiency.

STORY

Francelina da Cruz Romano, a young mother from Naelle village in northern Cabo Delgado, has transformed her family’s life with the help of just four chickens provided through FAO’s emergency agricultural support. Struggling to feed her seven children and make ends meet, Francelina now has a reliable source of nutritious food and occasional income from selling poultry. Her story, featured as part of FAO’s Around the Table series, highlights how simple, sustainable solutions can strengthen food security and empower women in vulnerable communities. More than a livelihood, for Francelina, poultry farming has become a way to care for her family and celebrate life’s moments with dignity and hope. 

In response to Mozambique’s first outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in October 2023, FAO, in collaboration with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the National Directorate of Livestock Development (DNDP), has strengthened the country’s frontline defense through a specialized training programme. Held in August 2024, this hands-on training equipped over 36 veterinarians, para-veterinarians, and field officers from high-risk provinces with essential skills in HPAI detection, response, and biosecurity. By focusing on surveillance, safe sample collection, outbreak management, and health protection measures, the initiative enhanced Mozambique’s capacity to prevent and respond to HPAI threats, protecting poultry livelihoods and public health while contributing to regional and global health security.