MOZAMBIQUE – ExxonMobil Moçambique Limitada (EMML), one of the largest oil and gas producer in Africa is investing US$400,000 to promote agricultural advancement in Mozambique.

EMML is undertaking the project on behalf of Rovuma Venture and the Area 4 partners.

Rovuma LNG is a world-class development aiming to deliver reliable, affordable energy to customers and create long-term economic value for project partners and the people of Mozambique.

The launched project is targeting to work with local farmers in Palma Sede, Northern Mozambique to build horticulture tunnels and provide supplies for drip irrigation systems.

This will enable the farmers to produce a wider range of crops for local markets, with less reliance on varying weather conditions.

This diversification of produce will contribute to improving the quality of diet and nutrition for local families, reports Club of Mozambique.

The project will work with the garden club of the Palma District Secondary School to encourage young people’s participation in the agriculture sector.

“We are committed to supporting Mozambique’s community development and economic diversification plans,” said Jos Evens, General Manager for ExxonMobil Moçambique, Limitada.

“Agriculture is a particular focus for the Mozambican government as people move from subsistence farming to a commercial agricultural model that builds a long-term value chain,” he said.

The company is also undertaking a second project in Senga focused on teaching the techniques of honey production.

Local carpenter will be trained to build beehives for 40 farmers which will enable them to produce honey for consumption or for sale at local markets.

The project will equip and train a local entrepreneur to purify the honey and to act as an aggregator to sell larger quantities of high-quality honey to larger markets and stores.

“Honey production does not require land clearance and therefore provides a method of income generation while conserving valuable forestry resources,” said Evens.

“As the LNG projects progress, there will be increasing requirements for local catering services, hotels, apartments and residents, all of which will provide a market for local farmers’ produce. We will work with communities to improve their farming techniques which will improve the quality, diversity, and reliability of their crops,” he added.

“Farming in Mozambique is labour-intensive, and farmers lack both the knowledge and climate appropriate technologies needed to enhance production.

“A radical change is necessary to reverse Mozambique’s history of low farm productivity and we are committed to supporting communities in realising that change by fostering strong market linkages,” said Stefano Gasparini, Mozambique Country Director for implementing partner iDE.

For 38 years iDE has helped smallholder farmers in Asia, Africa, and Central America increase their productivity and income by creating a lasting market infrastructure to serve their needs.

To date iDE has helped more than 30 million people navigate their way out of poverty through agriculture, sanitation and finance initiatives.

iDE is partnering with ExxonMobil in their Access to Markets program to effectively implement community development support, working closely with District Services for Economic Activities (SDAE) to transfer technical know-how, ensuring the sustainability of the pilot project.

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