The heavy rainfall that recently hit the Mozambican capital flooded farmland in several neighbourhoods, including Albasine, Mahotas and the Infulene Valley. The fields were inundated, causing significant losses in the harvests of widely consumed vegetables.
The soil, already saturated before the rains, gave way under the impact, destroying plantations of onion, coriander, spinach, cabbage and lettuce. The difficulties were compounded by the need to buy new seeds and restructure the land to mitigate future risks.
Farmers face financial difficulties made worse by pests and operating costs, including pesticides and labour. The pressure on smallholders reflects the vulnerability of urban agricultural production to adverse climate events.
Local associations are calling for strategic partnerships to recover from the damage and adapt crops to climatic conditions. Municipal authorities are assessing the damage in order to plan responses, including the distribution of inputs and technical assistance.
