ENH and Exxon Mobil support women farmers in Manhiça

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ENH and Exxon Mobil support women farmers in Manhiça

12:51 CAT | 03 May 2018

O País

The absence of water, farming equipment and a pump are among the obstacles facing women farmers in Paquete, in Maputo province’s Manhiça district.

But these barriers are a thing of the past now that the small-holders have been offered state-of-the-art equipment by the National Hydrocarbons Company (ENH) and Exxon Mobil.

The ceremonial delivery of this materials was directed by Minister of Gender, Child and Social Action, Cidália Chaúque, who, before the handover, visited the fields and explained how the Association of Women Farmers in the 26-hectare Block 4 works.

The association, made up of 69 members including single mothers, widows and other women having agriculture as the main source of income, says its members will do everything to ensure that the gift is a lasting one.

“We have long needed people like you, friendly people we could work with and who could teach us what we don’t know. Thank you for everything you have given us. We will use and keep [the equipment] very well,” Alice Matsolo said on behalf of the association.

Cidália Chaúque thanked the two oil companies for their gesture, saying that it was another way to increase the incomes and consequently the food security of these families.

“Our country has the conditions for us to produce and generate surpluses, building a chain of value to reduce economic dependence among families,” Chaúque said.

Exxon Mobil, one of the initiative partners, said that its participation was the result of the company needing to embrace social responsibility projects, and that it felt a particular connection to it because it involved women and children.

Source: O País