In a significant boost for Mozambique’s vital agricultural sector, the Government of Japan has committed a substantial 2 million US dollars (approximately 136 million meticais) towards a comprehensive project aimed at improving land use and soil health across the nation. The announcement, made on Tuesday, June 10, by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), signals a collaborative effort to unlock Mozambique’s immense agricultural potential.
The initiative, aptly named “Soil Mapping for Resilient Agrifood Systems – Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils (SoilFER-VACS),” is designed to be a game-changer for Mozambican farmers. It will span the entire national territory, focusing on bolstering local expertise in land management, providing crucial knowledge on optimal soil utilisation across all provinces, and significantly enhancing the capabilities of laboratories for precise soil analysis.
Speaking at the launch in Maputo, José Luís Fernández, the FAO representative in Mozambique, underscored the project’s far-reaching ambition. “This is a project that covers the entire national territory to strengthen national capacities to work on land issues, to provide more knowledge on how to use the various soils across the provinces, and to enhance the capacities of laboratories to analyze soils,” he explained.
The two-year undertaking will concentrate on strengthening national data and information systems concerning soils, fostering improvements in soil health, and developing detailed soil and land use mapping. The ultimate goal is to optimise national agricultural productivity and ensure its long-term sustainability, addressing a critical need in a country where agriculture forms the backbone of the economy for over 70% of the population.
Fernández further clarified that the funding, provided by Japan, will be channelled through the FAO and implemented in close coordination with Mozambican authorities. This collaborative approach aims to directly support the Government and national agencies responsible for land and agriculture in all matters related to soil use.
Mozambique, despite its vast arable land, faces significant challenges in its agricultural sector, including low productivity, vulnerability to climate shocks, and limited access to modern farming techniques. This Japanese-funded project, by focusing on the fundamental element of soil, represents a strategic investment in the country’s food security and long-term economic resilience. It promises to equip Mozambican farmers with the knowledge and tools necessary to make more informed decisions, ultimately leading to more robust and sustainable harvests.
