Zambezia Integrated and Resilient Food Security Project

This project will be implemented in Mozambique, Zambezia Province, districts of Mocuba and Maganja da Costa. The project will directly target 1,250 Smallholder Farmers Households (625 in Mocuba district and 625 in Maganja district), comprising 750 (60%) female and 500 (40%) male organized in 50 farmer groups. About 30% of them will come from female headed HH and 70% from male headed HH. Among the target beneficiaries, 20% will be youth age 18-35; and 10% PwD. The ultimate outcome of the project is to enhance equitable and sustainable food and income security for 1250 vulnerable smallholder farmers further impacted by COVID-19 and natural disasters through increased gender-equitable and inclusive agricultural livelihoods in Mozambique. The project comprises 3 complementary Outcomes. (Intermediate outcome 1): Strengthened or Improved equitable food security for women, men, PWDs and HHs affected by COVID 19; (Intermediate outcome 2): Strengthened abilities to adapt, absorb, and transform climate and disaster risks in food security among smallholder farmers; and (Intermediate outcome 3): Improved inclusion and equality of women and PWD in decision making in the targeted local food system. The first set of activities include: organize farmers in groups and their capacity building, apply FFS approach to enhance access to extension advisory along with input support to selected highly vulnerable HHs, develop local agro-dealer network and apply FMS approach to improve access to market and promote village saving and loan in farmer groups. The second set of activities include building capacity of Community Based Disaster Risk Reduction Committees (CBDRRC) to prepare climate and disaster risk preparedness plan, link CBDRRC with early warning system and support in restoration and/or management of ecosystems. The third set of activities are designed to enhance gender equality through training both men and women and awareness campaign which aim to  strengthen the capacity of women and PWD to claim and influence the decision-making process at intra-household level and community and to be respected, appreciated, visibly and actively engaged in social and economic processes. The project is designed to address the food security challenges faced by the community including low agriculture production and productivity, and low and non-diversified income sources, along with strengthen the role of women and PWD to in local food system. The project is important at this juncture because the ongoing shocks and stresses are compounded by COVID-19 pandemic.