To Cope With Climate Change Effects, Nearly 1,500 Farmers Engage in Climate Resilient Agriculture Training

By António Massipa 

“Learning to cultivate in difficult conditions, where rainfall is scarce, has helped us not only to increase production, but also to start growing new crops that we had never grown before,” said Paulina Zeferino, a member of a farmers’ group in Zambezia province, central Mozambique.

Paulina, who is a mother of three children, says before the farmers group was established earlier this year, where its members learn about climate resilient agriculture practices and vegetable production, and grow a variety of crops, meals of most families in her community consisted mainly of small, dried fish and cassava and corn porridge, which she believes contributed to poor diet and widespread malnutrition.

“In the past we used to grow cassava and corn only. And worked individually, never as a group. But we were told that we should establish and work as group to increase production and generate income,” she explains. 

Paulina adds that “So we started working as a group and now I can see it really pays off. Apart from cassava and corn, we now grow beans, kale, cabbage, tomatoes, carrots and pineapples in our farm fields.” 

“Now our children are eating well. I have three children, Daniel, Ivete and Eddy who enjoy eating vegetables and lettuce. Pregnant women are also eating well. And as a health committee member as well, I can tell we’re enjoying good health,” she says.

World Vision provided technical support and seeds to 47 farmers groups under the livelihood technical programme implementing in Maganja da Costa district, Zambezia province. 

According to the Livelihoods Technical Coordinator, Saute Hanzula, the training and support provided to the farmers' groups aims to ensure “conservation agriculture is adopted in the context of climate change to increase production and productivity, improve food security and the diet of families and communities, and increase family income by selling their produce.

In Maganja da Costa, World Vision started its operations in 2022 is contributing to impact the lives of 25,000 children in community projects on health and nutrition, disaster risk reduction, livelihoods, and child protection.