Mangwana: Strengthening food systems and food and nutrition security in the Beira Corridor, Mozambique
Problem
Despite its agricultural potential, Mozambique’s Beira Corridor faces high levels of food insecurity. Over 40% of children under five are chronically malnourished and more than 80% of the population cannot afford a healthy diet. Agricultural productivity remains low due to limited use of regenerative practices, poor market access, climate vulnerability and weak support services.
Small-scale food producers (SSFPs), who make up the majority of rural households, often cultivate small plots with limited access to inputs, finance and markets. Most struggle to earn a living income. Women and youth face additional barriers, including unequal land rights, limited decision-making power and poor access to finance and training.
The private sector – particularly small commercial farmers (SCFs), micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and large agribusinesses – has the potential to transform farming systems but lacks the capacity, incentives and enabling environment to invest in inclusive and climate-resilient supply chains. Financial services remain largely inaccessible to most producers and agribusinesses, especially women and youth.
At the policy level, implementation of national strategies remains weak, and coordination between public and private actors is limited, resulting in fragmented efforts and missed opportunities for systemic change.
Solution
Together with TechnoServe, Agência de Desenvolvimento do Vale do Zambeze and Agencia de Desenvolvimento Economico da Província de Manica (ADEM), Resilience aims to improve food systems and food and nutrition security in the Beira Corridor, with a particular focus on women and youth. The programme supports:
- capacity building for SSFPs and SCFs in sustainable farming practices and business skills, including the development of farmer-led irrigation practices to increase year-round production. This is a combination of in-field and digital extension services;
- promotion of diverse crops and nutrition practices to improve dietary diversity;
- development of inclusive value chains, leveraging SCFs, MSMEs and large private companies (LPCs) to deliver services and open market access;
- gender- and youth-responsive approaches, including tailored financial solutions and support networks;
- strengthening the enabling environment through public–private dialogue, digital tools and improved policy alignment, with a specific focus on access to finance, insurance and land.
Additionally, Resilience supports adaptive programme management by visualising expected changes and impact through digitally collected data and in-field impact stories, and by facilitating learning sessions to strengthen implementation.
Impact
The Mangwana programme will directly benefit over 227,000 people, with at least 45,000 SSFPs expected to progressively realise a living income. The programme will:
- improve food and nutrition security by increasing access to diverse, locally produced foods;
- enhance climate resilience through regenerative farming practices;
- strengthen market systems and business opportunities for SCFs, MSMEs and LPCs;
- empower women and youth to actively participate in and benefit from agricultural value chains.
Beira, Mozambique
Team members
Timeframe
2024-2027
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