Mozambique is aiming to achieve 80% self-sufficiency in the production of basic food commodities within the next decade, as part of a broader strategy to strengthen food security and reduce reliance on imports.

Photo: ONG Cesal via Embajada de España en Mozambique y Esuatini

The target was outlined by Acubar Batista, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture, during a high-level forum titled “Cultivating the Future: Innovation, Technology and Governance in Agriculture” held in Maputo.

Batista emphasized that achieving this goal will require a shift toward a more modern, resilient, and results-driven agricultural sector. He noted that strengthening domestic production is critical to ensuring food sovereignty while supporting long-term economic growth.

Agriculture remains a central pillar of Mozambique’s economy, playing a key role in food security, employment, and social development. However, the sector continues to face structural challenges, including low productivity, limited access to finance, weak supply chains, and vulnerability to climate-related shocks.

Despite these constraints, Batista highlighted that they also present opportunities for transformation if addressed through targeted reforms and investment.

Beyond food self-sufficiency, the government has set several additional targets for the next decade. These include producing 400,000 tonnes of fish annually through aquaculture, restoring one million hectares of forests, and establishing an equivalent area of commercial forest plantations.

Efforts are also underway to reduce chronic child malnutrition to below 20%, underscoring the government’s broader commitment to improving nutrition and public health outcomes.

To achieve these ambitions, Batista stressed the need for concrete actions, including strengthening seed systems, expanding irrigation infrastructure, improving logistics, digitizing agricultural services, and enhancing financial inclusion through subsidized credit and incentives for private sector participation.

The forum, organized by a Spanish non-governmental organization, brought together government officials, academic institutions, private sector players, and international partners to explore practical solutions for advancing Mozambique’s agricultural transformation.

Overall, the country’s strategy reflects a growing focus on building a more resilient and competitive agricultural sector capable of supporting sustainable development and reducing external food dependence.