Activation of Seed Plant in Northern Mozambique
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Good-quality seed is a major factor in boosting agricultural production. Mozambique has a limited capacity to produce and process quality seed and very few agro-ecological areas in the country are suitable for this purpose. Tete province, in Northern Mozambique, is one potential area and as such was selected to benefit from a new processing plant under a project funded by the European Union (EU). Under this project, seed processing equipment was purchased and a building for the installation of the factory constructed in the district of Angónia. However, the EU project closed before activities were completed. The current project was formulated with the aim of making the seed plant functional from a material point of view and by building the capacity of the local partner responsible for its management.
Réalisations
The expected outcome of the project was a fully functioning seed plant and a trained partner able to manage the plant and ensure the quality of the process of certification and control of seeds. In order to achieve this, the project established a work plan that included the preparation of technical specifications to adapt and equip the existing building, the opening of a borehole to provide water and the connection of the plant to the public electricity network. To ensure the capacity of the local partner selected to manage the seed plant, training was provided in the operation and maintenance of the equipment installed, certification and seed control processes, value chains and all other aspects of seed plant management.Impact
The activation of the seed plant and the provision of training to local farmers to manage and maintain the plant will lead to the increased production of quality seed. This will have a significant positive impact in the productivity of maize and pulses in the region, and may significantly impact the food security of the population living in this region.Activités
- Technical specifications defined for the adaptation of the existing building, the procurement of the construction company and the adaptation of the physical functionalities of the building.
- Borehole drilled to provide water to the factory.
- Seed processing equipment successfully assembled and tested.
- Contract established to connect the factory to the electricity network.
- Trashing floor built for the raw material.
- Factory fence built.
- Farmers’ association members trained in various modalities for managing the factory.
- 13 farmer’s association members trained in the operation and maintenance of the seed processing equipment.
- 80 farmers’ association members and individuals from the seed sector trained in value chain, seed quality and certification processes.