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7 November 2023- Collaborations and Partnerships are crucial in Mozambique´s aspirations towards ending hunger and poverty and creating decent employment by leveraging the modernization of sustainable agriculture sector. On this front, the formulation of the FAO Country Programming Framework (CPF 2022–2026) marks a significant milestone in the partnership between FAO and the Mozambican government as this programme serves as a guide for FAO's current work in the country, in contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals and national priorities.

The CPF aims to support the development of agricultural sector, contributing to increased income and employment as well as enhancing food security and nutrition, while reducing dependency on food imports, raising agricultural exports and strengthening linkages between agriculture and other key economic sectors.

The document was developed in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Ministry of Land and Environment (MTA), the Ministry of Sea, Inland Waters and Fisheries (MIMAIP) and the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MIC) and other stakeholders, and validated by various entities from government, partners, civil society and private sector.

Through this framework, FAO will support national efforts to achieve economic, social and environmental targets under the 2030 Agenda, aiming to strengthen the country's food and agriculture sector by identifying priority areas of investment and interventions, focused on three main pillars.

The first pilar is focused on Economic Diversification and Sustainable Livelihoods. It aims at inclusive economic empowerment, through improved, diversified and climate adapted production and productivity in agriculture, livestock, forestry, fisheries and aquaculture.

For this pillar, FAO's contribution will focus on promoting an enabling environment for agri-food value chain development and enhancing the capacity of Government and food producers for increased production and productivity. This includes promoting a gender-responsive enabling environment, supporting both women and men' integration in the value chains, access to markets and benefiting from agribusiness and agri-food trade opportunities. It will strengthen linkages among actors, increase access to safe and quality food and improve nutrition and healthy diets.

The second is focused on the Sustainable Management of Natural Resources and the Environment. It aims at transparent, gender-responsive, and sustainable management of the environment and natural resources. FAO will promote protection, restoration and sustainable use and management of forests, combat desertification, reduce land degradation and biodiversity loss, and support climate change adaptation. It will also promote the sustainable use of aquatic resources for better economic, environmental and social benefits, including for women and youth.

On the third pillar the focus is Climate Resilience and Emergency Response. It aims at increased resilience to shocks and disasters, with a particular attention for women and youth, and improve risk management among institutions, communities and other stakeholders. This pillar includes the Humanitarian Response Plan, as well as contributes to inclusive social protection systems. FAO will strengthen the capacity of institutions to develop policy and legal frameworks and improve coordination, monitoring and evaluation for climate resilience and emergency response.

The three CPF pillars are complementary and were defined considering FAO expertise and comparative advantages in Mozambique. They should be promoted in a comprehensive manner, recognizing its interlinked nature, in contribution to the transformation of agrifood systems. In this regard, FAO supports policy and normative work, combined with interventions for behavior change and adoption of improved practices and technologies while strengthening institutions and developing national capacities at all levels. Addressing production, nutrition, environment and basic human life aspects is paramount to the agrifood transformation process envisioned by FAO Mozambique.

According to this CPF, by 2026, FAO Mozambique expects to have contributed to the innovative, diverse, efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable transformation of food systems through better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life for all.

Innovation is key to transformation of agrifood systems under the CPF

FAO considers that it is important to transform the country's food systems to address food insecurity and malnutrition, adding that innovative and sustainable agricultural practices are key to promote inclusive and sustainable growth at the required pace.

The CPF represents the commitment of FAO in assisting the Government in its efforts to achieve national development objectives and to achieve food and nutrition security for the population through interventions aiming at better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life for all, leaving no one behind.

As part of the CPF's priority areas, FAO will work in close collaboration with the Government institutions, development partners and other stakeholders to enhance the design and implementation of policies and the development of programmes to improve agriculture, livestock, forestry and fisheries, and to ensure food security and nutrition for all.

FAO will continue to support Mozambique in its efforts to achieve its agricultural development goals and to improve the lives of Mozambican people.