As part of strengthening South-South cooperation, Mozambique is stepping up its commitment to innovative solutions for agriculture and food security, with an official mission to Brazil on 20 and 21 May, led by the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries. The visit is part of the Brazil-Africa Dialogue on Food Security, the Fight against Hunger and Rural Development, and aimed to gather successful practices and replicable technologies for the Mozambican context.
At the National Supply Company (Conab), the focus was on effective public policies: from strategic food storage to structured support for family farming, notably the Food Acquisition Programme (PAA) and community kitchens. The Brazilian approaches to mitigating the effects of climate change and to social inclusion were particularly valued by the Mozambican delegation.
The AgroBrasília Fair served as a stage for sharing innovations developed by Embrapa, including climate-adapted crop varieties, mechanisation accessible to smallholdings, use of bio-inputs and artificial intelligence. The valuing of local production through certification and brand creation was also highlighted.
One of the most symbolic moments of the mission was the visit to the Indaiá Cooperative – Araguaia Dairy Products. With a strong community base, this project mobilises women and young people in the artisanal production of milk and dairy products. Using local resources and technical support from Emater, the cooperative supplies schools and local markets, contributing to socioeconomic development and rural empowerment.
In the São Francisco Valley, Embrapa Semiárido presented solutions adapted to water scarcity: cisterns, treated wastewater and productive backyards, combined in systems for efficient water use. This approach has a direct impact on combating poverty and promoting food security in arid regions, a reality shared by Mozambique.
The mission also included visits to fruit-growing units with tropicalised grapes and their own processing and marketing systems, as well as CODEVASF infrastructure dedicated to fish farming and the propagation of native species. The Mozambicans were introduced to sustainable aquaculture technologies, such as underground dams, and to training initiatives in rural project management.
At the close of the visit, the Mozambican Minister stressed the strategic relevance of this mission: “it strengthens cooperation between Mozambique and Brazil and will give a gigantic boost to strengthening Mozambican rural public policies, with a special focus on building resilient and inclusive food systems that will allow the mission to be realised: Feeding Mozambique”.
