Tropentag, September 18 - 20, 2019 in Kassel "Filling gaps and removing traps for sustainable resources development"

Agroforestry Systems in Mozambique as Part of a South-South Cooperation Project

¹Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária (EMBRAPA), Brazil
²Mozambican Institute for Agricultural Research, Mozambique
³Federal University of Viçosa, Brazil

Abstract

It is reported the elaboration process and field performance of a triangular-type international South-South technical cooperation partnership encompassing Brazil, Mozambique and donor agents from the northern hemisphere. The project was part of "The Agricultural Innovation MKTPlace" platform, coordinated by Embrapa, in partnership with Brazilian Federal University of Viçosa, MS Foundation, and the Mozambican Institute for Agricultural Research (IIAM). The framework of the evaluated technology was based on Agroforestry Systems envisaging the integration of both food and biomass for renewable fuels production as a driver to sustainable development of local family agriculture, by increasing availability of foodstuff and wood fuel sources for self-consumption and income. In such a system, it is expected improvements of soil properties and increasing awarenes towards conservation agriculture practices. The project was executed around the City of Nampula, Nampula Province, Northeast of Mozambique, in two sites: a local IIAM (on station) area, and an area belonging to a Small Farmers Association Mapwane, in Anchilo Community (on farm trials). Partners get together in the build-up of the proposal and all activities related to fieldwork. In the first two years of the project, main difficulties were legal aspects for a planned transference of Macauba palm (Acrocomia aculeata) genetic material from Brazil to Mozambique; low engagement of participating farmers, despite initial goodwill; trials with tree species with a long development cycle; lack of commitment from some initial partners; the instability of climate conditions. On the other hand, positive achievements of the project for both farmers and local technical team were the participative construction of the project, which resulted in a good exchange of experiences; good integration among the teams during fieldwork; female presence in the leadership and execution of the project; legacy of the implemented agroforestry systems and the building up of knowledge on conservation agriculture among the farmers. In conclusion, the cooperation was effective to strengthen ties between these nations of the South-South axis, effective exchange of experience among technical partners, as well as showing in the practice the innovative potential of agroforestry systems for the improvement of small farmer's livelihood.

Keywords: Biofuels, food production, small farm agriculture, sustainability

Contact Address: Simone P. Favaro, Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária (EMBRAPA), Brasília, Brazil, e-mail: simone.favaroembrapa.br