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Mozambique

Purchase for Progress - P4P Mozambique (February 2015)

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P4P in Mozambique

In Mozambique, P4P focuses on developing the capacity of farmers’ organizations (FOs). To date, 20 FOs have benefitted from P4P activities, including capacity development, equipment provision and infrastructure development. FOs are supported with training in collective marketing and provided with market information in order to assist them to access formal markets. Training sessions are also held on post-harvest handling to reduce crop losses. Six small and medium FOs have signed contracts with WFP using smallholder-friendly procurement modalities, including forward delivery contracts (FDC). Corn soya blend fortified flour (CSB), produced using smallholders’ surplus has been purchased from processors.

Learning and sharing
P4P has emphasized an honest and transparent examination of what works and does not. Key lessons are continuously being compiled and shared widely.

Achievements

  • Production: P4P-supported smallholders have increased crop production, mainly due to a rise in average amounts of land farmed from 1.4 hectares to 3 hectares. In some cases, production has increased due to the use of agricultural inputs, such as improved seed varieties.

  • Aggregation capacity: FOs have increased access to storage facilities, including three new warehouses with a capacity of 300 mt each, as well as the option to rent additional warehouses on a seasonal basis. This has enabled FOs to improve their aggregation capacities.

  • FO management: FOs have improved their ability to negotiate. They have also increased profits by calculating costs accurately and more efficiently.

  • Access to credit: Links with financial institutions such as Opportunity Bank Mozambique have been strengthened. Other banks have been encouraged to start providing credit to FOs, even without the direct intervention of P4P.

  • Gender: Women have received time– and labour-saving technology such as bicycles and oxen, assisting them to increase crop production and reach markets. Gender sensitization efforts have led to FO members, especially men, becoming increasingly receptive to women’s voice within FOs.

  • Procurement: P4P has successfully tested the forward delivery contract modality for purchases from smallholders. Some FOs are also participating in soft tenders and competing with small and medium traders.

  • Quality: FOs have undergone training on quality standards and control, improving their ability to deliver quality commodities.

  • School feeding: P4P-supported FOs have supplied food to WFP’s school feeding programme in Mozambique. This link has been strengthened by the Purchase from Africans for Africa (PAA) initiative, which is funded by the Government of Brazil and implemented in partnership with FAO.