Mozambique Envalor Emerging Farmers Project

Summary

The main objectives of the project are to enhance commercial farming in order to reduce crop loss as a result of unproductive subsistence farming; to eliminate the need for food aid in the region and to train and empower local farmers in the project area.

Location

Caia district, Sofala Province

Sector

Water

Applicant

Centro de Promoção da Agricultura in the Ministry of Agriculture

Competent Authority

Envalor Emerging Farmers Project

Parties Involved in the Development Phase

InfraCo Limited

Project number

ORIO10/MZ/21

Total ORIO Grant amount

6,153,000 Euro

Status project

Development Phase

The Zambezi valley has a high agricultural potential and is well endowed with the quality and volume of soils and available water resources for irrigation. Currently there is small-scale agriculture for subsistence. Around 40,000 people live in the area which is rich in biodiversity. During the past ten years the area has been severely affected by flooding of the Zambezi river (2001 and 2007) as well as drought (2009 and 2010). Food security is a major issue in this region of Mozambique.

This project entails the development, construction and operation of a 3,000 ha local farmer cooperative. Of the 3,000 ha, 750 ha will be irrigated year-round with water drawn from the Zambezi river and 2,250 ha will be rain-fed. Adjacent to the irrigated part, additional market garden plots will be situated for 300 local farmers involved in the project for their subsistence farming. The project also includes the supply of potable water to the local community and the connection of public buildings to the electricity grid. The main elements of the irrigation infrastructure and ancillary components and equipment needed for the project to operate effectively include:

• 4 km of canals;
• Water mains and purification;
• 3 clustered pump stations;
• 7.5 km electrical line feeding the pump stations;
• Buildings;
• Infield irrigation pivots;
• Roads, fencing and drainage;
• Market garden irrigation equipment;
• Farming equipment and vehicles.