Strengthening Mozambican Capacity for Agricultural Productivity Growth, Policy Analysis, and Poverty Reduction

The project is implemented by the Michigan State University (MSU) in collaboration with the Mozambican Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation (MINAG) and the Institute of Agricultural Research (IIAM). The project has three main objectives. The first objective is to assist MINAG in building institutional capacity to raise smallholder productivity and income through improved technology, markets, and policies. This includes activities such as training of SIMA, CESE, and DE staff on markets and price analysis, progress on value chain reports with IIAM/CESE, and continued collection of horticultural market information with SIMA. The second objective is to strengthen market research and production technology development and transfer by MINAG and IIAM. This includes sub-sector and value chain analysis for selected commodities such as charcoal, Irish potato, cassava, broilers, cotton, and cashew. The project also involves other IIAM activities such as graduate training, in-service training, and assistance to USAID-Mozambique and Title II partners to measure program impacts using the Income Proxy Method. The third objective is to strengthen human resource capacity in MINAG and IIAM. This includes graduate training, in-service training, and TDY by Kim Chung to work with local MSU staff and other Mozambican collaborators on review of work at the interface of agriculture and nutrition. During the first quarter of FY 2011, several activities were conducted to achieve the project objectives. These activities included contributions to the CAADP process, training of SIMA, CESE, and DE staff on markets and price analysis, progress on value chain reports with IIAM/CESE, and continued collection of horticultural market information with SIMA. The project also involved TDY by Kim Chung to work with local MSU staff and other Mozambican collaborators on review of work at the interface of agriculture and nutrition, analysis of factors determining adoption of conservation farming technology in Tete province, and INCPROX survey implemented. The CAADP process was officially launched in Mozambique on December 13 by the Prime Minister of Mozambique. The launching ceremony was attended by the Minister of Agriculture, Vice Minister of Finance, senior officials from various ministries, key development partners supporting the agricultural sector, farmer organizations, non-governmental organizations, universities, NEPAD, SADC, and others. The Prime Minister recognized that agricultural sector performance is still unsatisfactory and that Mozambique is behind in fulfilling its commitment to increase public expenditure to agriculture to at least 10% of the total public expenditure. The project also involved collaboration with various stakeholders such as the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture, SETSAN, various UN agencies, non-governmental organizations, and others. The project staff worked closely with the local MSU team to identify opportunities for research and policy recommendations. The project also involved training of the CAADP Country Team on the implementation of the CAADP process. The project has made significant progress in achieving its objectives. The CAADP process was officially launched in Mozambique, and the project staff have worked closely with the local MSU team to identify opportunities for research and policy recommendations. The project has also made progress in strengthening market research and production technology development and transfer by MINAG and IIAM. The project has also strengthened human resource capacity in MINAG and IIAM through graduate training, in-service training, and TDY by Kim Chung. Overall, the project has made significant progress in achieving its objectives and has contributed to the improvement of the agricultural sector in Mozambique. The project has worked closely with various stakeholders to achieve its objectives, and the project staff have identified opportunities for research and policy recommendations. The project has also made progress in strengthening market research and production technology development and transfer by MINAG and IIAM, and has strengthened human resource capacity in MINAG and IIAM.