FAO and DPA discussing the project in Gaza

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the National Directorate of Agricultural Extension of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MASA), held last Thursday a technical meeting to present the project of "Strengthening Capacities of Agricultural producers to cope with Climate Change for increased Food Security through the Farmers Field School approach", funded by the Global Environment Fund (GEF), at the city of Xai-Xai, Gaza Province.

During the meeting, the FAO project team together with MASA's Provincial Directorate of Agriculture (DPA) discussed strategies for the successful implementation of the project in targeted districts in Gaza Province.

According to the Head of the Agriculture Provincial Services from MASA in Gaza, Faustino Chuma, "about 200 thousand people are actually affected by the insecurity food situation in the Province of Gaza". Chuma also said that "with the implementation of this project we will have a productive sector with more capacity to respond to the climate change effects of the producers directly involved or for those who may learn from the project beneficiaries in terms of technological advantages in many areas that the project gives assistance".

The project aims to increase the capacity of the agricultural and livestock sectors to tackle climate change through increased adoption by farmers of climate change adaptation practices and technologies through Farmer Field Schools already established in Gaza Province´s districts of Guijá, Mabalane, Chigubo and Chicualacuala.

Launched officially in Maputo in July, the 4 year long project has already been launched in Sofala, Manica and Tete provinces.

This project will be implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MASA), the Ministry of Land, Environment and Rural Development (MITADER), the Institute of Agricultural Research of Mozambique (IIAM) and the National Institute of Meteorology (INAM).