SNV supports over 1200 youth from internally displaced families in Montepuez with agricultural input kits

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SNV supports over 1200 youth from internally displaced families in Montepuez with agricultural input kits

7:25 CAT | 23 Jun 2022

Photo: SNV Mozambique

SNV Mozambique through the project Value Chains Development and Employment Opportunities for Youth, OYE, is working since 2021 with 33 communities in the district of Montepuez, Balama and Namuno in promoting economic resilience in agriculture for internally displaced (IDPs).

For over 2 years, this intervention, which is funded by the Kingdom of the Netherlands and supported by the local government, arises out of the need to improve the economic prospects of IDPs, in addition to supporting host communities affected by the insecurity situation in the Cabo Delgado province. Since the beginning of the conflicts, it is estimated that over 732,227 people have been internally displaced throughout the country, with the majority (90 per cent) in the Cabo Delgado province.

To reduce social pressure and support the communities, in 2021, SNV Mozambique with the support of the Cabo Delgado provincial government, started the implementation of the IDPs component, to generate self-employment and the development of agricultural capacity through the increase of production and agricultural productivity and the improvement of livelihoods in that region of the country.

The group of beneficiaries is composed of young people aged between 18 and 30 years old from different parts of Cabo Delgado with emphasis on Mocímboa da Praia, Muidumbe and Macomia. A common characteristic of the IDPs is that most of them have lost their possessions, family members and have moved to Montepuez, Balama or Namuno in the hope of starting a new life.

With the OYE project, these young people received agricultural input kits, consisting of certified vegetable seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, watering cans, sprayers, hoes, machetes, among other materials. Since a good number of them come from a coastal region and have no experience in the agricultural sector, SNV is providing technical assistance on new agricultural technologies with an emphasis on conservation farming techniques as well as support in linking up with local businesses to market their products.

I was born in Muidumbe and came to Montepuez because I was fleeing the war. I used to be a fisherman and was used to working at sea but today with the OYE project I am learning to work with agriculture. I have already learned how to prepare the land, how to make flowerbeds and irrigation techniques. I can’t wait to start harvesting the produce from the farm and to be able to build a new house for my family’ – Augusto Agostinho, 20 years old youth displaced from Muidumbe district

This intervention is expected to increase the employment of displaced youth and host communities through their inclusion in agricultural value chains, improve the performance of displaced people, including agricultural enterprises and improve the environment for the coexistence of displaced people and host communities.

Since its inception, the project has supported around 1202 families and intends to reach, by the end of 2022, 1,500 families of displaced youth in host communities in Montepuez.

Implemented by SNV since 2019 and in partnership with Technoserve, the OYE project has a duration of four years and is funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the amount of € 11,150,000.00. The project brings a market approach with a strong focus on creating economic opportunities in high potential value chains (soy and horticulture) and employment for young people and women.

Source: SNV Mozambique / Media Release