Farmer Field Schools - Village Organisation in Mozambique.

AKDN / Christopher Wilton-Steer

With funding from USDA, AKF is implementing MozaCajú's agricultural extension efforts by training smallholder ...

AKDN / Lucas Cuervo Moura

With funding from USDA, AKF is implementing MozaCajú's agricultural extension efforts by training smallholder ...

AKDN / Lucas Cuervo Moura

The northernmost provinces of Mozambique have some of the highest poverty rates in the country. AKF aims to ca...

AKDN / Lucas Cuervo Moura

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Mozambique | Agriculture and Food Security

5,000

The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) is working with almost 5,000 farmers

Moringa producer supported by AKF in Mozambique.

AKDN / Christopher Wilton-Steer

Education

AKF continues to strengthen the agriculture sector in Cabo Delgado through vocational market-oriented training. This produces well-trained agriculture technicians and agri-business entrepreneurs prepared for the impacts of climate change.


At the community level, AKF mobilises small-scale farmers in Farmer Field Schools. This training model emphasises learning by doing, engaging the community, and sustainable natural resource and land management initiatives. Local producers are encouraged to adopt conservation agriculture techniques to ensure food security. They do this through experimenting with more effective ways of working the land, and new harvesting and storage techniques. Additional support helps develop market links to generate income.


In 2014, the Government of Mozambique and AKDN signed an agreement for AKF to manage the Agrarian Institute of Bilibiza (IABil).


Since then, AKF has run a competency-based learning pedagogy-training course for all of IABil's 45 teachers. New conservation-based agricultural techniques have been introduced to the curriculum, including rapid seed multiplication systems, Sustainable Rice Intensification, livestock breeding and fruit production. The class schedule has been revised to enable students to spend more time participating in community development and agricultural production activities, while providing teachers with designated time to work with IABil management to strengthen the curriculum and teaching practices. Infrastructure development projects have given students and staff access to potable water, the irrigation system is complete and construction of sanitation services and electricity upgrades are underway.


Due to insecurity in Cabo Delgado and the two attacks suffered by the IABil, the students have been moved to an agrarian school in Chiure District, Cabo Delgado, now renamed IABil, Ocua Campus.


AKF continues to support the training of agricultural technicians and entrepreneurs who can contribute to strengthening the agriculture sector in Cabo Delgado. The Cargill Foundation, Camões Institute for Cooperation and Language, I.P. and the Royal Norwegian Embassy continue to provide funding.


With funding from USDA, AKF is linking cashew farmers in Cabo Delgado, Nampula, and Zambezia with processing and export facilities, and helping create brand recognition for Mozambican cashew amongst select global retailers such as Whole Foods.

AKDN / Lucas Cuervo Moura

Access to Markets

In order to connect local producers to national and international markets, AKF has supported over 100 producer associations to arrange bulk purchases of inputs and bulk sales of produce, and has facilitated several contracts with international buyers. These interventions help farmers secure good prices for improved quality products.


With funding from USDA, AKF is linking cashew farmers in Cabo Delgado, Nampula and Zambezia with processing and export facilities, and helping create brand recognition for Mozambican cashews amongst select global retailers such as Whole Foods.


With the financial support of the Liechtensteinischer Entwicklungsdienst, a consortium consisting of Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation, PAKKA and AKF is supporting the cashew and peanut value chains in northern Mozambique. We aim to increase the sustainability of production systems, enhance the income of smallholders and small entrepreneurs, and make good quality, nutritious food more available and accessible to local consumers through the commercialisation of cashew and groundnuts based on organic and fair trade principles. Considering local agro-ecological conditions, both crops are relevant for resilience and adaptation to climate change. This initiative has directly benefited 3,000 producers.