Results

An impact study conducted in 2020 to assess the FAR approach showed that despite climate shocks such as droughts, cyclone Idai and floods in areas implementing the FAR programme, more than 80% of smallholders increased their incomes significantly during the last 3 years of FAR implementation. 

The study shows that 40-60% of smallholder farmers have been able to mitigate and recover the consequences of Idai and other climate risks, through the application of practices learned through the FAR Programme. This reflects greater resilience among smallholders in Sofala and Manica Provinces. The evaluation also showed that there has been a sustainable increase in agricultural productivity in the implementing provinces, the programme having reached about 34,734 farmers (57% women) with their interventions. 

Stable availability of food

Increased food availability for about 18% of producers assisted by the FAR since the start of the programme, on average 4 months per year.

32% of smallholder farmers increased their cultivated areas, despite the climatic shocks during the FAR implementation period.

27% of individual farmers increased their annual harvest volumes by at least 50%, and 41% of association representatives increased their annual harvest volumes by at least 15%.

Stable access to food

As most smallholders farmers are mainly subsistence farmers who sell only small portions of their harvested volumes, the income generated by crops facilitated by FAR was low, with an average net income of CHF52 per year for farmers selling part of their production. However, there are differences between the districts and farmers in Sussundenga, Chibabava and Manica generate higher net incomes.

Identification and dissemination models for CSA solutions

11,720 farmers were trained by the IOs: 1,508 in Sussudenga; 1,044 in Macate; 1,830 in Gondola; 1,727 in Vanduzi; 2,820 in Manica; 2,616 in Búzi; 104 in Nhamatanda; and 71 in the district of Chibabava. This was done through 620 formations in various CSA cultivation practices, such as row sowing, mulching, crop rotation, organic fertilisation, in the 8 implementation districts in partnership with 21 private / public partners.  Training of Trainers took place as follows: BCP Back Saver, Global / Local GAP and Hub and Rural agro-dealers trained Business Management; Hub and Rural agro-dealers trained Enterprise Management, Product Knowledge and Handling Skills, Training on use of Money Maker Pumps, Output Marketing, CSA for Vegetables and Cereals (lower soil turnover, Permanent Basins, Tutoring, Mulching and Nurseries.

83 Agro-dealers are actively marketing agricultural inputs (fertiliser seeds, and pesticides) from different companies: Casa do Agricultor, Empresa de Fertilizantes de Moçambique Lda (MozFert), Yara Moçambique, EASI Seeds Moçambique Lda, Klein Karoo Seed Marketing Moçambique Lda, Seed Co, AgriServ Co, Pannar Seed and Agrifo Lda. In the last three years, they have marketed about 83 tonnes of various inputs.

About 42% of the producers use certified seeds purchased through agro-dealers, which represents an increase of over 16%, from the 26% before the start of the project. 69.1% of small farmers' associations adopt certified seed purchased through agro-dealers. An increase of almost 20%, from 49% before the start of the project.

Adaptation to climate change

Up to 60% of farmers were able to mitigate and recover better from the consequences of cyclone Idai and other climate risks, thanks to the application of practices learned through facilitating IOs.