IFAD began operations in Mozambique in 1983. Over the past three decades it has provided a total of US$196.2 million in loans for 11 programmes and projects in the country.

A Country Strategic Opportunities Programme (COSOP) approved in 2011 sets out a framework for the partnership between IFAD and the Government of Mozambique for the years 2011 to 2015. It is fully aligned with all major strategies defining the framework of collaboration between the Government and its development partners, including the PARP, the UNDAF, the PEDSA, and the CAADP. The COSOP builds on IFAD’s experience in Mozambique and lessons learned from past operations in the country, particularly notable successes achieved in:

• creating market linkages between small-scale producers and buyers
• facilitating the introduction of new technologies and services for fishing communities
• setting up savings and credit groups across the country
• rehabilitating rural roads for better access to markets and services; and
• introducing important policy and legislative changes, such as the protection of artisanal fishing

IFAD continues its strategic focus on supporting smallholder farmers and artisanal fishers. Its main target group are poor producers with the potential to expand and commercialise their activities, and special emphasis is placed on integrating disadvantaged groups, particularly women and young people.

IFAD’s overriding goal in Mozambique is to help integrate small-scale producers into profitable and accessible markets. To achieve this, it pursues three strategic objectives:

• Improving the access of smallholder farmers and artisanal fishers to technologies and services that increase productivity. IFAD ensures that farmers and fishers have secure rights to use key natural resources, that a strong natural resource management system is in place, and that climate risks are mitigated where possible.
• Increasing access to, and participation in, markets for an equitable share of profits. IFAD helps develop economic infrastructure for the conservation, processing and marketing of produce, and helps build solid and equitable partnerships between small-scale producers and agribusinesses.; and
• Increasing the access to sustainable financial services in rural areas. IFAD promotes an enhanced institutional and policy environment, and supports the expansion of community-based financial services offering financial products and services specifically targeted to the needs of rural communities.

IFAD engages in policy dialogue where relevant issues emerge from project operations, and also helps build the capacity of local stakeholders to participate in policy dialogue processes.
 

Country strategic opportunities paper (2011)

Source: IFAD