Enhancing Food Security and Increasing Incomes in Northern Mozambique

Results achieved as of the end of the project include: (1) the percentage of households categorized as food secure has increased from 4.2% in 2013 to 9.6% 9.6% in 2016;(2) 7 852 farmers (48.3% of which were women) have gained access to services that promote good agricultural practices. Producers’ satisfaction with available services has improved which contributed to the adoption by almost all farmers of Conservation Agriculture techniques (minimum tillage soil coverage and crop diversification); (3) 4 957 farmers (45% of which were women) are now part of producers’ associations that increased from 30 to 171 associations and 49 sales commissions; (4) a market-oriented input supply system especially for improved seeds was established with greater responsibility being taken by market actors such as seed multiplication groups and rural shops; (5) the annual volume of sesame sold by beneficiary producers has increased from 327 tons in 2010 to 676 tons towards the end of the project representing an increase in the annual value of sales from just under MZN 10 million to over MZN 23 million (US$596 000); (6) access to cash savings has increased with 57% of members of community-based savings groups having generated cash savings compared to 37% in 2011. The percentage of men and women with cash savings also increased substantially from 21% at baseline to 53% (50% of which were women) by the end of the project; and (7) producers’ yields have increased (47% for maize 41% for cow peas and 95% for sesame). Through these results the project has contributed to wider adoption of improved nutritional practices and greater economic empowerment among the population of Cabo Delgado province.