Community assessment for the Drought Tolerant Maize for Africa (DTMA) project : Mozambique report
Material type:
TextLanguage: English Publication details: Maputo (Mozambique) : DTMA, 2007.Description: 30 pagesSubject(s): Summary: A community survey was carried out in July and August 2007 in Sussundenga and Mossurize districts of Manica Province in Mozambique under the auspices of the Drought Tolerant Maize for Africa Project (DTMA). The insights presented in this report are based on informal semi-structured interviews conducted in 12 communities randomly selected among the villages covered by the household survey in both districts above and information cordially provided by the extension officials and representatives of Distrital Administration Office, Distrital Services for Economic Activities, Health and Education Distrital Directorates. Clearly maize, sorghum and beans are an important subsistence and cash crops to farmers in both districts (Sussundenga and Mossurize). Thus, increasing crop productivity would have profound impact on farmers’ food security and income levels. Crop productivity can be improved through adoption of better production technologies. Improved crop germplasm adapted to the local agro-climatic growing conditions has been a determinant factor in improving crop yields at farm level. Matuba was by far the single most commonly grown improved varieties in both districts. There was a wide range of local varieties grown by farmers because they tended to differ from locality to locality. Definitely, the majority of farmers used farmers' recycled seeds, very few farmers purchased seeds from informal/formal seed dealers/ sub-dealers and, improved seed was introduced to farmers through kits distributed free of charge by the Government of Mozambique and NGOs during emergency periods. Farmers’ assessment of the various attributes of crop varieties reflect their felt need to overcome the constraints imposed by drought and insects to improving crop yields. In both districts, the majority of the farmers preferred crop varieties that were drought tolerant, resistant to storage pests, early maturing and with high grain yields. Extension services were in most cases solely provided by the government. It is only in a few cases where private institutions e.g. NGOs, agrochemical companies, cash crops’ private owned companies (Cotton Company of Zambeze, Mozambique Leaf Tobacco and Dimon) were also involved in providing extension and in-kind credit to farmers. The low prices paid by these companies for cotton and tobacco are a major disincentive making farmers abandon their production.
| Item type | Current library | Collection | Call number | Status | Date due | Barcode | Item holds | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reprint | CIMMYT Knowledge Center: John Woolston Library | CIMMYT Staff Publications Collection | CIS-5991 (Browse shelf(Opens below)) | Available |
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A community survey was carried out in July and August 2007 in Sussundenga and Mossurize districts of Manica Province in Mozambique under the auspices of the Drought Tolerant Maize for Africa Project (DTMA). The insights presented in this report are based on informal semi-structured interviews conducted in 12 communities randomly selected among the villages covered by the household survey in both districts above and information cordially provided by the extension officials and representatives of Distrital Administration Office, Distrital Services for Economic Activities, Health and Education Distrital Directorates. Clearly maize, sorghum and beans are an important subsistence and cash crops to farmers in both districts (Sussundenga and Mossurize). Thus, increasing crop productivity would have profound impact on farmers’ food security and income levels. Crop productivity can be improved through adoption of better production technologies. Improved crop germplasm adapted to the local agro-climatic growing conditions has been a determinant factor in improving crop yields at farm level. Matuba was by far the single most commonly grown improved varieties in both districts. There was a wide range of local varieties grown by farmers because they tended to differ from locality to locality. Definitely, the majority of farmers used farmers' recycled seeds, very few farmers purchased seeds from informal/formal seed dealers/ sub-dealers and, improved seed was introduced to farmers through kits distributed free of charge by the Government of Mozambique and NGOs during emergency periods. Farmers’ assessment of the various attributes of crop varieties reflect their felt need to overcome the constraints imposed by drought and insects to improving crop yields. In both districts, the majority of the farmers preferred crop varieties that were drought tolerant, resistant to storage pests, early maturing and with high grain yields. Extension services were in most cases solely provided by the government. It is only in a few cases where private institutions e.g. NGOs, agrochemical companies, cash crops’ private owned companies (Cotton Company of Zambeze, Mozambique Leaf Tobacco and Dimon) were also involved in providing extension and in-kind credit to farmers. The low prices paid by these companies for cotton and tobacco are a major disincentive making farmers abandon their production.
Global Maize Program
Text in English
INT1320
CIMMYT Staff Publications Collection
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