In 2010, Agri-ProFocus took the first steps towards building an Agri-Hub in Mozambique. At this moment, SNV and KIT have assumed responsibility for it. The two organisations are identifying opportunities to support farmer entrepreneurship in the cashew, rice and peanut chains. A second priority is improving farmers’ access to finance by engaging with banks, MFIs and local Savings and Credit Cooperatives (SACCOs).

The action priorities chosen for Mozambique include farmer entrepreneurship, access to finance and farmer market linkages. A more active role for farmer organisations, supported by NGOs and Business Development Services is certainly possible if Agri-ProFocus members and their Mozambican partners manage to coordinate their efforts in a coherent way.

The Dutch members of the Agri-ProFocus network all have a long track record of work in Mozambique. At the moment, SNV and KIT actively link the network to the Royal Dutch Embassy in Maputo and to key Mozambican actors like CEPAGRI, IIAM (the Mozambique National Institute of Agronomic Research) and private sector organisations. This will provide a good basis for further joint action and learning.

In Mozambique, the Value Chain Development (VCD) approach has been adopted by agencies such as Hivos, Oxfam, Clusa, Technoserve and GAPI. There is great potential for connecting the VCD approach to the Local Economic Development (LED) funds that the Mozambican government provides. Members of the Agri-ProFocus network have set up guidelines to do this. Producer organisations that have well-developed VCD plans can access the LED funds at district level. SNV and other members are supporting producers to make best use of these opportunities.

About Mozambique

Mozambique’s agricultural sector employs roughly 80% of the population is makes up around 25% or GDP. The country has a relatively high average annual growth of 7-8% . Fast growing industries are chemical manufacturing and aluminium and petrol production. Tourism is also a growing sector.