Viriato Mamite, a horticultural farmer in Mozambique’s Maracuene district, had a hectare of land, but couldn’t make full use of it. In 2014, he jumped at the chance to join a farmer field school through his producer organization, Bolaze B, which participated in the Livelihoods Empowerment and Development (LEAD) project, funded by BHP Billiton Sustainable Communities.

During the farmer field school, Viriato learned good agricultural practices and the benefits of using a drip irrigation system. Like many local farmers, Viriato saw the value of drip irrigation, but knew it was out of reach.

“Thanks to the trainings from the LEAD project, we had received knowledge about the drip irrigation system. But I had no chance of buying it.” –Viralto

Most Mozambican smallholder farmers don’t have a valid identification document or bank account. Many also lack the collateral needed to qualify for loans. This integral step often impedes local farmers—most of whom earn less than US$3.00 a day—from turning their subsistence farming into lucrative agribusinesses. Farming inputs, such as seeds, fertilizer, and irrigation kits, can also be costly.

Recognizing this stark reality, the LEAD project helped Viriato and others like him secure loans from Caixa Communitaria de Mozambique (CCOM), a local financial institution. The LEAD project, implemented by ACDI/VOCA, aims to improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers like Viriato in Mozambique’s Boane, Marracuene, and Namaacha districts and Zona Verde in Maputo Province. To do so, the project facilitates the relationship between smallholder farmers and CCOM by offering trainings and technical assistance. This support helps farmers improve their production and business volume, while ensuring CCOM receives high repayment rates and returns on loans.

The partnership revived an important aspect of business for CCOM, said Delmar Mitavele, CCOM’s head of commercial and marketing area. “Our origins were linked with agricultural loans, but the high risk of these products caused a decrease in their volume within our company,” he said. “With this project, we have formed a triangular network between producers, LEAD project technicians, and CCOM, which has enabled us to strengthen confidence in the sector.”

CCOM provided credit to 77 farmers, 92 percent of whom successfully repaid the loans. To receive credit, these farmers collaborated with LEAD project technicians to build sound business proposals.

ACDI/VOCA Mozambique LEAD farmer-2

Viriato’s proposal to establish a drip irrigation system received a US$2,000 loan. With it, he expects to produce seven tons of cabbage and eight tons of potatoes, generating US$4,800. He plans to harvest only that which he knows he can sell. “This helps me to anticipate what I need to produce without suffering a surplus at market that will eventually lead to spoiled produce and bring losses,” Viriato said.

After repaying the loan and paying other expenses, like the salaries of his three employees, Viriato expects an income of US$2,000 for five months of work.

“The loan from CCOM is giving me the chance to think big. Once I pay back this loan, my intention for next year is to put this system in place on all my land… What I hope to achieve is continuous production and someday…to buy a tractor.” –Viralto

Learn more about the Livelihoods Empowerment and Development (LEAD) project.

Learn more about our work in Mozambique.

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