FAO warns of unequal access to farm funding for women and youth in Mozambique

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FAO warns of unequal access to farm funding for women and youth in Mozambique

9:41 CAT | 10 Oct 2025

Photo: Ministério da Agricultura, Ambiente e Pescas

FAO warned on Thursday that women and young people in Mozambique still face major barriers to agricultural finance, calling for greater private investment and support for entrepreneurs to modernise the sector.

“Despite progress, inequalities persist in access to resources, services and opportunities,” said FAO representative José Fernandez. “Rural women and young people remain under-represented in value chains, production processes and the division of labour. Adapting to climate change and strengthening community resilience are essential to ensuring the sector’s sustainability.”

The remarks were made in Maputo during the first meeting of the Agricultural Sector Coordination Committee (CCSA), a multisectoral body that brings together social and economic actors and international cooperation partners to improve coordination in implementing agricultural policies, strategies and programmes.

The FAO representative in Mozambique called for a strong, inclusive and resilient agricultural sector, saying it is key to reducing poverty and ensuring food and nutrition security, while creating jobs and strengthening the sector’s ability to withstand climate change.

Fernandez urged greater private sector investment in agriculture, saying it would drive innovation and create quality jobs.

“The private sector, when properly engaged, can speed up the modernisation of agriculture and fisheries, expand market access and support balanced regional development,” Fernandez said. “At the same time, growth must not leave behind the most vulnerable, including smallholders, artisanal fishers, women and young people.”

Agriculture Minister Roberto Albino urged farmers to focus on competitive production. He criticised continued dependence on food imports to supply the domestic market, saying Mozambique has the capacity to produce enough food locally.

Germany announced on Wednesday €45.5 million in funding through the German Development Bank (KfW) to support agricultural initiatives for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Mozambique.

The financing mechanism for sustainable rural development, known as FINOVA, was launched in the city of Maputo. At the launch ceremony, Planning and Development Minister Salim Valá highlighted the German fund’s commitment to creating jobs and boosting incomes.

Source: Lusa